Moths of North Carolina
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Aethiophysa Members:
9 NC Records

Aethiophysa consimilis Munroe, 1964 - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: GlaphyriinaeTribe: [Glaphyriini]P3 Number: 801033.00 MONA Number: 4878.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: 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 creamy-white in G. glaphyralis.
Wingspan: 18 mm (Munroe, 1964)
Adult Structural Features: Munroe (1964, 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.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Aethiophysa consimilis is largely restricted to the southeastern U.S. where specimens have been observed from Maryland and vicinity westward to southern Ohio and western Kentucky, then southward to northeastern Texas, central Mississippi, northern Alabama and South and North Carolina. As of 2023, all of our record are either from the Coastal Plain or lower-elevation sites in the Blue Ridge.
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 fly from May through August in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak from June through August. As of 2023, our records extend from mid-July through early August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented, but this species seems to tolerate a wide range of conditions. We have records from a coastal pine community, a xeric Sandhill community, a mountain meadow, and mesic forests in the Blue Ridge.
Larval Host Plants: The larval host plants, if any, are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S2S4
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 uncommon in North Carolina, but moe information is needed on its habitat requirements, feeding ecology, and distributions before we can accurately assess its conservation status.

 Photo Gallery for Aethiophysa consimilis - No common name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: J.G.Franclemont on 1958-07-18
Macon Co.
Comment: BOLD specimen.