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

Marmara new species 20 - on Nyssa (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 20 - on Nyssa
view caption 		Marmara new species 20 - on Nyssa
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Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.21
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 Nyssa species, particularly Black Gum. As of 2024, we are unaware of any reports of the adults being reared.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the younger stems of Black Gum and produce long, winding, linear mines.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, stem mines have been found in Massachusetts and North Carolina (Eiseman, 2022), including Durham and Scotland counties in North Carolina.
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: As of 2024, Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is the only reported host. It seems likely that Swamp Tupelo (N. biflora) would also serve as a host, but this has not been documented as of 2024.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for the stem mines on the younger branches of Black Gum. 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 20 - on Nyssa - No Common Name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-01-17
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-01-17
Durham Co.
Comment: Unoccupied mine was on Nyssa sylvatica.