Odontophotopsis clypeata 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 : 24

Odontophotopsis clypeata Schuster

Odontophotopsis (Odontophotopsis) clypeata Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 59. Male. Holotype data: Tucson, Arizona, 26 Aug 1939, O. Bryant (UMSP).

Diagnosis of male. This species has a head that is rounded posteriorly, has deeply excised mandibles that are slightly dilated apically (e.g., Fig. 46 ), has a transverse clypeus that is slightly depressed below mandibular margins, but lacks a tubercle situated posteromedially on the clypeus, has a pair of denticulate mesosternal processes, and has a shiny glabrous pygidium. Typically the second segment of the metasoma is darkened at least around the felt lines, and the apical plumose fringes are densely plumose. The genitalia are illustrated in Fig.11 .

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co. : Algodones Dunes: Wash Rd.: 6.6 km SE Hwy. 78, 5 males, 7–10.Jun.2008, R.B. Kimsey and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); 4.1 km SE Hwy. 78, 4 males, 18–22.Sep.2008, R.B. Kimsey and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); 7 km SE Hwy. 78, 3 males, 9–10.Jun.2008, R.B. Kimsey and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); 0.7 km W Wash Road at railroad post 168, 10.4 km SE Hwy 78, 3 males, 18–22.Sep.2008, R.B. Kimsey and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); Glamis, 7.5 km N, 21 males, 11–15.Sep.2007, R. Kimsey, L. Kimsey, and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); Glamis, 8 km S, 1 male, 11–15.Sep.2007, R. Kimsey, L. Kimsey, and T.J. Zavortink ( UCDC); S. Ruthven, 1 male, 30.Apr.2001, D.C. Hawks, and D. Yanega ( UCRC).Glamis, 3 mi. NW, 11 males, 15–16.Sep.1972, M.S. Wasbauer and A. Hardy ( CDFA).

DNA voucher specimen data. Arizona, Yuma Co., Yuma City, 1 male, 21.Jun.2006, K.A. Williams and W. Ericson, JP468 ( EMUS).

Distribution. Southwestern USA.

Remarks. On the Algodones Sand Dunes, the darkened condition of the integument around the felt lines is reduced compared to specimens in other parts of the range, which have at least T2, if not the entire metasoma, castaneous. This species is widespread and common in other parts of its range, but is rare on the Algodones Sand Dunes.

Figures

FIGURES 31 – 46. Lateral view of mandible, 31 – 40 female and 41 – 46 male. 31. O. arcuata; 32. O. inconspicua; 33. O. melicausa; 34. O. obscura; 35. O. parva; 36. O. villosa; 37. Sphaeropthalma blakeii; 38. S. difficilis; 39. S. militaris; 40. S. triangularis; 41. O. ambigua; 42. O. arcuata; 43. O. aufidia; 44. O. melicausa; 45. O. becki; and 46. O. django.

FIGURES 7 – 22. Dorsal view of genitalia, except Figs. 15, 17, 19, and 21 lateral view of cuspis. 7. Odontophotopsis ambigua; 8. O. arcuata; 9. O. aufidia; 10. O. biramosa; 11. O. clypeata; 12. O. inconspicua; 13. O. melicausa; 14 and 15. O. obscura; 16 and 17. O. parva; 18 and 19. O. quadrispinosa; 20 and 21 O. sonora; and 22. O. villosa.