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

Marmara new species 17 - on Iva spp. (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 17 - on Iva spp.
view caption 		Marmara new species 17 - on Iva spp.
Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.18
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 mines the leaves and stems of at least two species of Iva.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the leaves and stems of Iva frutescens and I. imbricata. They initial produce a long, narrow, whitish mine on the leaf blade that eventually passes through the petiole to the stem. Eiseman (2022) reported that the larvae in Massachusetts and nearby states produce leaf mines in July. The larvae begin moving into the stems by the end of the month, but the mines are not externally visible. Each larva then exits the stem in June of the following year and spins a cocoon, with the adults emerge by mid-July. Eiseman (2022) noted that Tracy Feldman has found externally visible Marmara mines in stems of I. frutescens and I. imbricata in North Carolina that may or may not represent the same species that occurs farther north, where the stem mines are not externally visible. Here, we treat these as being conspecific.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Eiseman (2022) has found mines in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey, while Tracy Feldman has found mines at several coastal sites in North Carolina.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Marmara new species 17 - on Iva spp.
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with either coastal dunes or marshes, depending on the host species.
Larval Host Plants: The known host as of 2024 include Bigleaf Marsh-elder (Iva frutescens) and Dune Marsh-elder (I. imbricata).
Observation Methods: We recommend searching the leaves of marsh-elders during the summer months for mines. 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 17 - on Iva spp. - No common name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-06-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Unoccupied mine was on Iva frutescens.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-06-19
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Unoccupied mine was on Iva frutescens