Moths of North Carolina
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Marmara Members:
2 NC Records

Marmara new species 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana
view caption 		Marmara new species 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana
view caption 		Marmara new species 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana
view caption
Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.26 MONA Synonym: Marmara new species 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana
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 feeds on at least two oak species.
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the younger shoots and stems of Quercus margaretiae and Q. virginiana. The mines are very narrow, winding tracks that in some cases may spiral around a stem. The final-instar larvae eventually produce a bark flap where pupation occurs.
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 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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally associated with sandy, dry habitats where Sand Post Oak and Live Oak are present.
Larval Host Plants: The known hosts include Sand Post Oak (Quercus margaretiae [= Q. margarettae] and Live Oak (Q. virginiana).
Observation Methods: New records are best obtained by searching for the stem mines on the host species. 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 25 - on Quercus margaretiae and virginiana - No Common Name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2023-02-20
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Quercus margaretta.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2023-02-20
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Quercus margaretta.
Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2023-02-06
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine was on Quercus virginiana.