Moths of North Carolina
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4 NC Records

Marmara new species 28 - on Ulmus (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 28 - on Ulmus
view caption 		Marmara new species 28 - on Ulmus
view caption 		Marmara new species 28 - on Ulmus
Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: 0.00 MONA Number: 718.29
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 specializes on Winged Elm, and perhaps other native species of elms. Tracy Feldman and Charley Eiseman have reared adults that resemble Marmara elotella in having a white ground color, but detailed descriptions of the adults have not been published.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are stem miners on Winged Elm and produce elongated, winding, brownish mines on the younger stems. After completing feeding, the final instar exits the mine and spins a thin-walled cocoon with clusters of frothy bubbles. Another stem-mining Marmara that is thought to be a different species produces similar mines on America Elm and Red Elm. It differs in pupating beneath a bark flap rather than spinning a cocoon in the open (Eiseman, 2022).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, mines on Winged Elm have been found in North Carolina and Louisiana (BugGuide). We have four site records from the eastern Piedmont and western 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: This species appears to specialize on Winged Elm (Ulmus alata), but other native elms might also be used.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for mines and pupae on the younger stems of Winged Elm 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 28 - on Ulmus - No common name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-03-17
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem miner and pupa was on Ulmus alata.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2018-03-17
Scotland Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem miner and pupa was on Ulmus alata.
Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2017-07-24
Durham Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem miner was on Ulmus alata.