Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGracillariidae Members:
Marmara Members:
1 NC Records

Marmara new species 13 - on Gardenia (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 13 - on Gardenia
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Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.14
Comments: The genus Marmara contains 19 described species from North America and numerous undescribed species. Most species are monophagous, and the mines have been found on over 80 North American plant genera that belong to 40 families (Eiseman et al., 2017). Given the small number of described species relative to the large number of hosts, there appear to be dozens of undescribed species in the US. Many of the species are difficult to rear and are only known from leaf or stem mines. North Carolina appears to have numerous undescribed species based on host preferences and mine characteristics, and Tracy Feldman has spearheaded efforts to document these within the state. We have included Marmara that we believe are probably undescribed species (ca. 30) and have listed these by their host plants. We encourage individuals to submit any leaf or stem mines that they find based on the plant hosts in order to better document the distribution and relative abundance of these forms in North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources:                                                                                  
Adult Markings: This form is suspected of being an undescribed species that feeds on members of the Rubiaceae. As of 2024, its only known host is an ornamental shrub, Gardenia jasminoides.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the leaves of Gardenia jasminoides and presumably other members of the Rubiaceae. They produce very elongated, whitish, convoluted mines that repeatedly cross over the earlier portions of the mine. As of 2024, the adults have yet to be reared.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, this species is currently only known from a single site in Durham County in the eastern Piedmont.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The flight season is undocumented.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: As of 2024, the only known host is Cape Jasmine Gardenia jasminoides, which is an ornamental shrub and a member of the Rubiaceae.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for mines on the leaves on native species that are in the family Rubiaceae. The adults should be reared, photographed and collected whenever possible.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[SU]
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Marmara new species 13 - on Gardenia - No Common Name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2017-11-05
Durham Co.
Comment: Unoccupied leaf mine was on Gardenia jasminoides.