Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	8 NC Records

Marmara new species 21 - on Oxydendrum leaf (undescribed species) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy

Family:
Gracillariidae

Subfamily:
Gracillariinae

Tribe:
[gracillariini]

P3 Number:
0.00

MONA Number:
718.22

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 species mines the leaves of Sourwood. The adults have been successfully reared, but have yet to be described.

Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the leaves of Sourwood and produce long, convoluted, whitish epidermal mines that resemble tiny slug trails. The larvae normally mine the upper leaf surface, but occasionally use the lower surface, and deposit their frass in a thin central line. When finished feeding, the final instar leaves the mine and spins a cocoon that is decorated with frothy bubbles (Eiseman, 2022). A Marmara that mines the stems of Sourwood is thought to be a different species and also occurs in North Carolina.

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

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: As of 2024, the leaf mines have been found in Ohio and North Carolina where we have records from the Piedmont and lower elevations in the Blue Ridge.

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: Occupied mines have been found in May and June.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species is generally found in mesic to drier hardwood or mixed pine-hardwood forests where Sourwood is present.

Larval Host Plants: Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is the only known host.

Observation Methods: We recommend searching Sourwood leaves for occupied mines during the spring and summer months. 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 21 - on Oxydendrum leaf - No common name

Photos: 8

	Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-06-15 Scotland Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-11-08 Orange Co. Comment: Unoccupied mine was on Sourwood.
	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-11-08 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-24 McDowell Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Sourwood.
	Recorded by: David George on 2022-09-12 Wake Co. Comment: An unidentified species on Sourwood.		Recorded by: David George on 2022-09-12 Wake Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-07-03 Madison Co. Comment: Unoccupied mines were on Sourwood leaves; initially a convoluted linear mine that became more blotch-like with time; there was no evidence of mining in the petioles or stem.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-06-21 Wake Co. Comment: Larva mining a Sourwood leaf.