Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	6 NC Records

Marmara new species 18 - on Liquidambar (undescribed species) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Family:
Gracillariidae

Subfamily:
Gracillariinae

Tribe:
[gracillariini]

P3 Number:
0.00

MONA Number:
718.19

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 stems of Sweetgum.

Immatures and Development: The larvae produce long, narrow, winding mines on the younger stems of Sweetgum. Tracy Feldman found occupied mines in North Carolina in late February and mid-March. The larvae exited their mines to spin cocoons beginning in late March, with two adults emerging in late April and early May (Eiseman, 2022).

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: As of 2024, the mines have been found in New Jersey and North Carolina. As of 2024, we have five site records from the eastern Piedmont and western Coastal Plain.

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 adults appear to fly during the spring warm-up in April and May. Local populations are univoltine, with the larvae overwintering in the mines and the adults emerging the following spring.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are affiliated with stands of Sweetgum. This species is common in bottomlands, but also occupies a variety of mesic to somewhat dry habitats where they frequently become established following disturbance.

Larval Host Plants: The only known host is Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua).

Observation Methods: We recommend searching for stem mines on Sweetgum during late-winter and early spring and rearing the adults. 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 18 - on Liquidambar - No common name

Photos: 4

	Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2024-11-30 Wake Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-08-02 Wake Co. Comment: An unoccupied mine on Sweetgum.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2017-01-10 Scotland Co. Comment: An unoccupied mine on Sweetgum.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2017-01-10 Scotland Co. Comment: An unoccupied mine on Sweetgum.