Odontophotopsis unicornis Schuster

Pitts, James P., Wilson, Joseph S., Williams, Kevin A. & Boehme, Nicole F., 2009, Velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of the Algodones sand dunes of California, USA, Zootaxa 2131, pp. 1-53 : 30-31

Odontophotopsis unicornis Schuster

Odontophotopsis (Odontophotopsis) unicornis Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 52. male. Neotype: USA: AZ: Graham Co., 2.4 mi W Hwy 366 From Hwy 191, 3800’, 14–26.Aug.1993, Hara (EMUS).

Diagnosis of male. In this species, the clypeus is concave with a tuberculate process at median proximal margin, but the process is narrowly linguiform, is produced downward over clypeus, is prominent and is much longer than wide ( Fig. 108 ). The anterior margin of the clypeus is distinctly emarginated and turned outward, the ocellar area usually is concolorous with the head, but sometimes slightly infuscated, the cuspis is slightly narrowed medially having an apex with stout setae while having thinner setae medially and has an inner margin with circular area of dense short setae. Genitalia are as in Pitts (2007) Figs. 54–56 .

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. The Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of Arizona, Nevada, California into northern Mexico.

Material examined. USA, California, Imperial Co., Algodones Sand Dunes, Coachella Canal Rd. , 1.6 km N Hwy 78, 11.6 km W Glamis, 1 male 30.May–3.Jun.2008, Museum Survey Team ( UCDC); Bard, 1 male, 2.May.1960, H.H. Blackmore ( CDFA), 7.Aug.1971, Maxwell ( CDFA); Calexico, 5 mi E, 1 male, 5–6.Jun.1961, H.F. Howden ( CNCI); Winterhaven, 6 males, 9–11.Aug.1961, ( CDFA); 1 male, 7.Aug.1951, Maxwell ( EMUS).

Remarks. Pitts (2007) was unable to locate Schuster’s holotype for this species and designated a neotype. A more thorough discussion of this species can be found in Pitts (2007).

Once the female is found, it will likely key out to O. melicausa or O. obscura in the key below, based on the morphology of the closely related O. erebus female. It will likely differ from O. melicausa by lacking transverse sinuate carinae on the dorsum of the mesosoma. It will likely differ from O. obscura by having setae at least on T2 that differ in color to the remainder of the dorsal setae.

Figures

FIGURE 108. Odontophotopsis unicornis, male, lateral view of head.

FIGURES 47 – 55. Habitus, lateral view. Dasymutilla atricuada, 47. female and 48. male; D. gloriosa, 49. female and 50. male; D. imperialis, 51. male; D. magnifica, 52. female and 53. male; and D. nocturna, 54. female and 55. male.

FIGURES 56 – 70. Odontophotopsis arcuata, female: 56. head, anterior view; 57. lateral view; 58. dorsal view of mesosoma, anterior left; and 59. pygidium. Sphaeropthalma blakeii, female: 60. head, anterior view; 61. lateral view; 62. dorsal view of mesosoma, anterior left; and 63. pygidium. S. difficilis, female: 64. head, anterior view; 64. lateral view; and 66. dorsal view of mesosoma, anterior left. S. ecarinata, female: 67. head, anterior view; 68. head, lateral view; 69. lateral view; and 70. dorsal view of mesosoma, anterior left.