Moths of North Carolina
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24 NC Records

Aethiophysa invisalis (Guenée, 1854) - Invisible Crambid

Aethiophysa invisalisAethiophysa invisalis
view caption 		Aethiophysa invisalis
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: GlaphyriinaeTribe: [Glaphyriini]P3 Number: 80a1184 MONA Number: 4877.00 MONA Synonym: Aethiophysa lentiflualis
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Aethiophysa invisalis and A. consimilis cannot be distinguished based on external patterning and coloration and require genitalia for identification (Scholtens, 2017). The following is a general description that applies to both species based in part on the description of A. consimilis by Munroe (1964).

The frons is orange and margined anteriorly and laterally with white. The labial palp is orange and has prominent scaling on the second segment. The second and third segments are tipped with white, and the antenna is whitish buff above. Both the vertex and thorax are orange, and the ground color of the forewing is orangish brown with a faint, pale, wavy antemedial line at around two-fifths the wing length. The antemedial line is margined outwardly with a dark line of similar width. The postmedial line is similar in color but is margined inwardly with a dark line. The postmedial line begins on the costa at around two-thirds and is broadly excurved to about two-thirds the wing width, then slants basally to the inner margin. The area between the antemedial and postmedial lines is often slightly darker than the general ground color. The fringe is dull brown in the basal half and whitish buff in the distal half. A broken terminal line is usually evident that consists of a row of faint dark dots. The hindwing is faintly washed distally with the same ground color as the forewing, but is much paler in the basal, costal and anal regions. The fringe and terminal line are similar to those on the forewing.

Aethiophysa invisalis and A. consimilis are similar to Glaphyria sequistralis and G. glaphyralis and are best separated by the fringe, which is two-toned in our Aethiophysa species. In contrast, the fringe is evenly ocherous yellow and concolorous with the ground color in G. sequistralis versus evenly cream-white in G. glaphyralis.
Forewing Length: 8 mm (Munroe, 1972)
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1972) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia. Aethiophysa invisalis and A. consimilis can be readily separated using characteristics of the valve and aedeagus.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Aethiophysa invisalis is found throughout much of the eastern U.S. and in Ontario. In the U.S., the range extends from Maine and other New England states southward to Florida and westward to central Texas, central Oklahoma, eastern Nebraska, Minnesota and extreme eastern North Dakota. In North Carolina, populations are most common in the Piedmont and lower elevations in the Blue Ridge. As of 2023, most of our records from the Coastal Plain are from the Sandhills.
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
Flight Comments: The adults are active from March through November in Florida and from May through October elsewhere. In most areas of the range there is a seasonal peak from June through August. Local populations in North Carolina are univoltine with a relatively short flight period. As of 2023, our records are from early June through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The habitats used by this species are poorly documented, but it appears to tolerate a wide range of conditions from xeric Sandhill communities to mesic hardwood slopes. Several of our records are from semi--wooded residential communities.
Larval Host Plants: Larval host plants, if any, are unknown. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S4S5
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species appears to be relatively secure in North Carolina.

 Photo Gallery for Aethiophysa invisalis - Invisible Crambid

Photos: 13

Recorded by: Chuck Smith on 2023-07-22
Davidson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-16
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-07-16
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2020-07-21
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-15
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2020-07-15
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton on 2020-07-11
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Shields on 2019-08-02
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-07-21
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-07-10
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-07-10
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2012-06-29
Warren Co.
Comment: