Moths of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha): Choose a Family

Home

View PDF	Gracillariidae Members:	Marmara Members:	7 NC Records

Marmara new species 23 - on Passiflora (undescribed species) - No Common Name

view caption

Taxonomy

Family:
Gracillariidae

Subfamily:
Gracillariinae

Tribe:
[gracillariini]

P3 Number:
0.00

MONA Number:
718.24

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 apparently undescribed species specializes on passionflower leaves. At least one adult has been reared (see above), but has yet to be described in detail.

Immatures and Development: As of 2024, the larvae have only been found mining the leaves of Yellow Passionflower. The larva produces a highly convoluted, linear, epidermal mine that crosses over older portions of the mine repeatedly. The whitish mines are usually produced in the upper surface of a leaf, and rarely in the lower surface.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: As of 2024, the mines have been found in Texas and North Carolina, with at least three records from Scotland County in the 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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Larval Host Plants: The only known host as of 2024 is Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea).

Observation Methods: We recommend searching for occupied mines on passionflowers 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 23 - on Passiflora - No common name

Photos: 12

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-24 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-24 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-24 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Erka Mitchell on 2023-11-19 Wake Co. Comment: iNat record - Photo and observation by Erika Mitchell, used with permission https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192325536
	Recorded by: Sarah Toner on 2023-07-23 Dare Co. Comment: iNat record - Observation and photo by Sarah Toner, used with permission. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174549463		Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2023-07-10 Pitt Co. Comment: iNat record - Leaf-miner found in Passiflora lutea. Unable to confirm if the mine was occupied. ID help from Tracy Feldman. This observation was also posted on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172248550
	Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2023-07-10 Pitt Co. Comment: iNat record - Leaf-miner found in Passiflora lutea. Unable to confirm if the mine was occupied. ID help from Tracy Feldman. This observation was also posted on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172248550		Recorded by: Skadi Kylander on 2023-07-10 Pitt Co. Comment: iNat record - Leaf-miner found in Passiflora lutea. Unable to confirm if the mine was occupied. ID help from Tracy Feldman. This observation was also posted on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172248550
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-07-26 Scotland Co. Comment: Occupied leaf mine was on Passiflora lutea on July 26; turned red on July 28; cocoon on July 29; adult emerged on August 9.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-07-26 Scotland Co. Comment: Occupied leaf mine was on Passiflora lutea on July 26; turned red on July 28; cocoon on July 29; adult emerged on August 9.
	Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2020-07-26 Scotland Co. Comment: Occupied leaf mine was on Passiflora lutea on July 26; turned red on July 28; cocoon on July 29; adult emerged on August 9.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2017-08-28 Scotland Co. Comment: Unoccupied mine on the underside of leaf of Passiflora lutea.