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

Marmara new species 19 - on Morella (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 19 - on Morella
view caption 		Marmara new species 19 - on Morella
view caption 		Marmara new species 19 - on Morella
Taxonomy
Family:
Gracillariidae		Subfamily:
Gracillariinae		Tribe:
[gracillariini]		P3 Number:
33a0395		 MONA Number:
718.20
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 appears to be an undescribed species that is a stem miner on Morella cerifera.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the stems of Morella and produce elongated, winding brownish tracks along the younger stems. When finished feeding the larva cuts a bark flap and pupates within the flap.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, we have two sites records from North Carolina, one from the coast and the second from an inland site in the eastern Piedmont. Eiseman et al. (2017) also list a record from eastern Texas.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Marmara new species 19 - on Morella
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: The larvae feed on Common Waxmyrtle which is found in coastal areas inward to the eastern Piedmont.
Larval Host Plants: The only known host as of 2024 is Common Waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera), but it is possible that other Morella species are also used in North Carolina.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for stem mines on the younger stems and branches of Waxmyrtle. 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 19 - on Morella - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2024-01-17
Wake Co.
Comment: A bark flap on morel cerifera.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2023-12-01
Wake Co.
Comment: Occupied mine was on Morella cerifera.
Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2023-12-01
Wake Co.
Comment: Occupied mine was on Morella cerifera.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2022-05-25
Dare Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Morella cerifera.