Sphaeropthalma yumaella 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 : 47-48

Sphaeropthalma yumaella Schuster

Sphaeropthalma (Micromutilla) yumaella Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. 37: 19. Male. Holotype data: Wellton, Yuma Co., Arizona (CUIC).

Diagnosis of male. This species is recognized by the strongly excised mandible, the lack of mesosternal processes, the marginal cell being shorter than the stigma, the first segment of the metasoma sessile with the second segment, and the genitalia with a long thick cylindrical cuspis that tapers apically and has a large basal pit on the internal margin ( Fig. 6 ).

Female. Unknown, but based on the undescribed female of S. brachyptera , which is closely related to this species based on male morphology and from ITS1 and ITS2 sequences, the female will likely have a distinct ventral tooth on the mandible, the integument not obscured by setae, both erect long brachyplumose setae, as well as short, erect, extremely plumose setae, and will have a granulate pygidium that is undefined laterally by carinae.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co., Algodones Dunes : Niland-Glamis Rd., 7.4 km NW Glamis, 19 males, 3–30.Mar.2008, Museum Survey Team ( UCDC); Glamis, 3 mi. NW, 3 males, 15–16.Sep.1972, M.S. Wasbauer and A. Hardy ( CDFA).

Distribution. Southern Nevada southward throughout Arizona and southern California into Baja California, Mexico.

Remarks. This species is widespread and not endemic to the Algodones Sand Dunes. Based on mandibular and genitalic morphology, along with wing venation similarities, this species is closely related to S. brachyptera Schuster , S. noctivaga (Melander) , S. sublobata Schuster , and Odontophotopsis piute Mickel.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Lateral view of genitalia. 1. Acanthophotopsis falciformis; 2. Sphaeropthalma becki; 3. S. difficilis; 4. S.