Dasymutilla connectens (Cameron, 1895)

Williams, Kevin A., 2023, Taxonomic updates for diurnal velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in the United States of America, Zootaxa 5301 (1), pp. 105-123 : 106-107

Dasymutilla connectens (Cameron, 1895)

( Figs 1, 2 )

Sphaerophthalma [sic.] connectens Cameron, 1895: 362 , ♀.

Mutilla eggeri Dalla Torre, 1897: 33 , ♀.

Dasymutilla helva Mickel, 1928: 259 , ♀.

Dasymutilla ocydrome Mickel, 1928: 292 , ♁. New synonym.

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California Sur, La Paz, Isla Partida , 11.VII.1968 , Sonora, 17 mi. W Alamos , 18.VII.1967, M. S. Wasbauer (1 female, CSCA) . USA: Arizona: Maricopa Co. : Cotton Center , 6.VIII.1975, M. Kolner (38 males; ASUT, CSCA, EMUS) ; 1.8 km W Cotton Center , 14.VI.1975, M. Kolner (1 female, ASUT) ; 9.6 km S Phoenix, West Baseline Road , 13.VII.1952, M. K. Smith (1 female, CSCA) ; Phoenix : various dates and collectors (3 males, 6 females; ASUT, CSUC, UMSP, USNM) ; Pima Co. : Baboquivari Mountains , date and collector unknown (2 females, 2 males; UMSP) ; Tucson , various dates and collectors (3 females, 1 male; CSCA, UMSP) . An additional 28 specimens were also examined ( ASUT, CSUC, EMUS, FSCA, UCDC, UMSP) .

Distribution. Mexico (Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Sonora), USA (Arizona).

Remarks. Dasymutilla connectens , previously known from females only, is apparently structurally identical to D. nogalensis Mickel, 1928 , differing only in setal color ( Figs 1, 5 ). These two species are the only Nearctic females to have the mid- and hind-femora apically truncate and the mesosoma with a scutellar scale ( Manley et al. 2020). Both species occur in Arizona, with D. nogalensis being common and prevalent at higher elevations in the Madrean Archipelago, while D. connectens is rare and apparently limited to the lower elevations in the Sonoran Desert. The male of D. nogalensis ( Fig. 6 ), formerly D. atrifulva Mickel, 1928 , is one of only two Nearctic males with S2 having a mesally flattened patch of dense microsetae; the other species with this feature is D. ocydrome from Arizona ( Figs 2, 4 ). In keys, these males were separated by the dorsal setae of the head and mesosoma (black in D. nogalensis , pale yellow to reddish in D. ocydrome ). Based on structural similarities to D. nogalensis in both sexes and overlapping distribution, it was clear that at least some populations of D. ocydrome were the males of D. connectens .

This situation is complicated, however, by the greater color variation and geographic range of D. ocydrome in comparison to D. connectens . The dorsal setae of D. ocydrome range from grayish yellow to bright reddish-orange and the species occurs at both high and low elevations, while D. connectens always has grayish-yellow dorsal setae and only occurs at lower elevations. The holotype of D. ocydrome (USNMENT01570603 at https://collections. nmnh.si.edu/) has similar pale-yellow coloration to D. connectens . Furthermore, it was collected at the same site (Phoenix, Arizona) on the same day (July 25, 1917) as the holotype of D. helva (a synonym of D. connectens ). Dasymutilla ocydrome , syn. nov., can therefore be treated as the male of D. connectens .

The reddish- or orange-colored males formerly recognized as D. ocydrome ( Fig. 4 ) occur at higher elevations than D. connectens and overlap in distribution with D. nogalensis . Recently, aberrant females of D. nogalensis were discovered with the dorsal setae of the head and mesosoma reddish orange ( Fig. 3 ), rather than black ( Fig. 5 ). Based on their similar coloration and distribution, the “orphaned” reddish orange specimens formerly called D. ocydrome should instead be treated as color variants of D. nogalensis .

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Dasymutilla connectens (Cameron, 1895) and D. nogalensis Mickel, 1928. 1, 3, 5. Lateral habitus, female. 2, 4, 6. Lateral habitus, male. 1, 2. D. connectens. 3. Aberrant D. nogalensis. 4. Aberrant D. nogalensis, formerly D. ocydrome Mickel, 1928, in part. 5, 6. Typical D. nogalensis.