Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	5 NC Records

Marmara new species 22 - on Oxydendrum stem (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family:
Gracillariidae

Subfamily:
Gracillariinae

Tribe:
[gracillariini]

P3 Number:
0.00

MONA Number:
718.23

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 is an apparently undescribed species that mines the stems of Sourwood. As of 2024, we are unaware of any adults being reared or described.

Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the younger stems of Sourwood and produce long winding tracks that sometimes double back on themselves. The frass is deposited in a thin line near the middle of the mine.

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 records from the eastern Piedmont and from a lower-elevation site 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

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 young stems during the spring and summer months for occupied 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 22 - on Oxydendrum stem - No Common Name

Photos: 6

	Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02 Chatham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-17 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-17 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Tracy S. Feldman on 2022-08-17 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-03-09 Transylvania Co. Comment: Two unoccupied Marmara mines of an unidentified species were on the stem of a sapling Sourwood.