Dasymutilla bonita Mickel 1928

(Figs 12, 28, 48–51)

Dasymutilla bonita Mickel, 1928 . U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 143:208. Holotype, Ƥ, Bonita, Graham County, Arizona, July 12, 1917, J. Bequaert (UMSP).

Dasymutilla poliothrix Mickel, 1928 . U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 143:285. Holotype, 3, Nogales, Arizona, July 24, 1903, Oslar (CUIC).

Diagnosis. FEMALE. The female of this species (Fig. 12) can be separated from other Dasymutilla by the following combination of characters: the first flagellomere is twice as long as its maximal width, the head and mesosoma are concolorous with the metasomal integument, the mesosoma is covered with black setae anteromedially, the propodeum has a brush of silver setae, and there is a dense medial patch of appressed black setae basally on T2. MALE. The male of this species can be separated from other Dasymutilla by the following combination of characters: there is a seta-filled pit on S2, there are pale silver setae on T5–7, and T2–4 are clothed with pale orange setae (Fig. 28).

Description of male genitalia (Figs 48–51). Free length of paramere dorsally curved apically, with ventral brush of long dense setae basally, remainder having scattered short sparse setae; paramere not kinked laterally. Cuspis laterally compressed, tapering apically, ~0.7 × free-length of paramere, having long setae throughout; outer row of setae anteriorly directed, inner row posteriorly directed. Densely setose basal lobe present. Digitus laterally curved internally, tapering slightly at apex, asetose, ~0.3 × free-length of paramere. Penial valve emarginated anterodorsally, ventral margin bidentate apically, teeth separated, unidentate medially; having longitudinal row of setae at apex and subapically on external margin.

Length. Females: 6–8 mm; males: 7–10.5 mm.

Host. Unknown.

Distribution. USA (Arizona); Mexico (Guerrero, Jalisco, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Sonora).

Material examined. Type material. Holotypes: Dasymutilla bonita, USA, Arizona, Graham Co., Bonita, 1Ƥ, 12.VII.1917, J. Bequaert (UMSP); D. poliothrix, USA, Arizona, Santa Cruz Co., Nogales, 13, 24.VII.1903, Oslar (CUIC). Other material. MEXICO: Nayarit: San Blas: 1Ƥ, 22.II.1982, F.D. Parker (UCDC); 1Ƥ, 16–21.V.1983, F.D. & J.H. Parker (EMUS); Sinaloa, Concordia, 1Ƥ, 12.IX.1970, G.E. & R.M. Bohart (EMUS); Sonora: Alamos, 3Ƥ, 7.IX.1970, R.B. Bohart (EMUS). USA, Arizona: Pima Co., Huerfano Butte, 18 km SE Sahuarita, 1Ƥ13, 5.IX.1970, D.J. Brothers (EMUS); Santa Cruz Co.: Rio Rico, 23, 23.VII.1980 (EMUS); Santa Cruz River, 10 km N Nogales, 1Ƥ, 9.IX.1985, D.K. Broemeling (EMUS); Tubac, 14Ƥ, 17.VII.1980, R.H. Crandall (LACM, EMUS). Over 30 additional specimens (USA: AZ) were examined (CSCA, DGMC, LACM, SEMC, UCDC, UMSP).

Remarks. The silver apical metasomal setae of these males (Fig. 28) are not as obvious as in other members of the D. monticola species-group (as in Figs. 33, 34), because they do not contrast strikingly against the orange setae of T2–5. Setal color, coupled with glabrous tegulae, probably prevented Mickel from affiliating these males (as D. poliothrix Mickel in the D. subhyalina species-group) with the D. monticola species-group. Females of D. bonita have the first flagellar segment elongate and males have glabrous tegulae, suggesting close relation to D. saetigera .