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

Marmara new species 14 - on Gelsemium (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 14 - on Gelsemium
view caption 		Marmara new species 14 - on Gelsemium
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Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.15
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: Technical Description, Immature Stages: Eiseman (2022).                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This appears to be an undescribed species that feeds on Gelsemium. Tracy Feldman and Charley Eiseman has reared adults, but they have not been described as of 2024.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the stems of Gelsemium sempervirens and produce elongated, whitish mines along the stem. The larvae are yellowish-white with a light amber head capsule; they presumably turn bright red shortly before pupating. When mature, the larva exits the mine and spins a cocoon that is decorated with frothy bubbles (Eiseman, 2022). They emerge as adults from mid-November to early December. An occupied mine that Tracy Feldman found in North Carolina on 31 July produced an adult on 30 November.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, the only records are from North Carolina and Louisiana (Eiseman, 2022).
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
Immature 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 poorly documented.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The only known host as of 2024 is Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens). It is possible that our other native Gelsemium (G. rankinii) is also used as a host.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for the mines on Gelsemium vines. 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 14 - on Gelsemium - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-10-22
Scotland Co.
Comment: An occupied stem mine on Gelsemium sempervirens.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2019-10-21
Scotland Co.
Comment: Occupied mine was on Gelsemium sempervirens; adults emerged by 11/30/2019.