Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGracillariidae Members:
Marmara Members:
1 NC Records

Marmara new species 29 - on Vaccinium (undescribed species) - No Common Name

Marmara new species 29 - on Vaccinium
view caption 		Marmara new species 29 - on Vaccinium
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Taxonomy
Family: GracillariidaeSubfamily: GracillariinaeTribe: [gracillariini]P3 Number: MONA Number: 718.31
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 is a stem miner on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.).
Immatures and Development: The larvae mine the stems of blueberries and produce long, winding, convoluted tracks on the younger stems. The mines often cross-back on themselves to produce complex patterning.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: As of 2024, bark mines on Vaccinium species have been found in the eastern US in Connecticut and North Carolina, where we have a single record from Wake County.
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:
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), including one record for Northern Highbush Blueberry (V. corymbosum) in Connecticut and an unidentified species in North Carolina.
Observation Methods: We recommend searching for the bark mines on the younger stems of blueberries. 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 29 - on Vaccinium - No Common Name

Photos: 2

Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-01-17
Wake Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine as on a Vaccinium.		Recorded by: Tracy Feldman on 2021-01-17
Wake Co.
Comment: Unoccupied stem mine as on a Vaccinium.