Smicromyrmini, Bischoff, 1920

Matias, Rafael, 2023, Sex-association experiments reveal the true identity of Physetopoda lampedusia (Invrea, 1957) (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae, Smicromyrmini), Zootaxa 5311 (2), pp. 203-231 : 223-224

Key to Iberian genera within tribe Smicromyrmini

Females

1. Pygidium oval, short. T1 with apical fringe of pale pubescence.......................... Nemka viduata ( Pallas, 1773)

- Pygidium basally broad or narrow, elongated. T1 with no fringe of pale pubescence................................. 2

2. Pygidium basally broad, covered with a pattern of well marked striae or other markings, generally extending to apex. Setae absent or with few overlapping pygidium surface. Scutellar scale present but never acute, normally broader than long........................................................................................ Smicromyrme Thomson

- Pygidium basally narrowed, with pattern of irregular striae basally and with shiny apex, or unmarked and shiny all over. Setae surrounding pygidium numerous, sometimes very long, overlapping and concealing part to most of its surface. Scutellar scale indistinct to well visible and large (may be acute and elongated)................................................ 3

3. Mesosoma notably narrowed behind pronotal spiracles, with elongated parallel or sub-parallel sides along propodeal area; mesosoma ca. 1.7 (1.6–1.8) times longer than maximum width at pronotal spiracles and ca. 1.9 (1.7–2.0) times longer than width behind pronotal spiracles; width at pronotal spiracles ca. 1.12 (1.09–1.15) times larger than behind pronotal spiracles. Scutellar scale short, thin (but may be relatively broad) and relatively inconspicuous. Eyes large and prominent (widest point of head), with head clearly wider than maximum mesosoma width (ca. 1.1 times). Distance between the eyes ca. 1.3 times maximum eye diameter. [Pygidium always fully unmarked, smooth and shiny, long subelliptical, narrower basally than apically, surrounded by long pale setae, partially concealing its surface. Antennal scrobe with dorsal carina absent or barely developed. Vertex and posterior upper frons with recumbent, relatively long, pale pubescence over the central third, forming narrow and longitudinally elongated spot]................................ Ephutomma montarcense ((Mercet MS.) Giner Marí)

- Mesosoma not notably narrowed and elongated behind pronotal spiracles; ratio mesosoma length/width at anterior spiracles 1.4–1.7; ratio mesosoma length/width behind anterior spiracles 1.5–1.7; ratio of mesosoma width at pronotal spiracles/behind the pronotal spiracles 1.04–1.10; if mesosoma is elongated (e.g. ratio length/maximum width of ca. 1.6–1.7) ratio between both widths is tendentially smaller (1.04–1.09). Scutellar scale well visible, narrow, sometimes large, acute and elongated. Eyes not particularly prominent, with head not notably wider than mesosoma maximum width. Scutellar scale always visible, but may be small. Distance between the eyes larger than 1.4 times maximum eye diameter on most species [Pygidium covered with variably marked striae and smooth apex or fully unmarked, smooth and shiny, clearly narrower basally than apically, surrounded by long pale setae, partially concealing its surface. Antennal scrobe usually with developed dorsal carina. Head with frons or vertex with or without pale pubescence; if present, it covers whole frontal surface uniformly, forms a round or transverse spot covering most area between the eyes, or an elongated tuft over vertex].............. Physetopoda Schuster

Males

1. Felt line present laterally on T2, but absent on S2............................................................ 2

- Felt line present laterally on both T2 and S2 (here shorter and sometimes reduced to a few pits)....................... 3

2. Mandible inferiorly with small sub-basal external nodular tubercle that does not protrude laterally. Integument all black, except for edge of tegulae and base of mandible. Metasoma with full bands of silvery-white pubescence over T3 and T4, as well as apically on T2............................................. Ephutomma montarcense ((Mercet MS.) Giner Marí)

- Mandible with obvious and well-developed basal external tooth, laterally protruding (except P. pusilla sensu Pagliano & Agnoli 2018 ). Integument normally with red areas on the mesosoma, but may be all black. Metasoma with sparse apical fringes of pale pubescence (most species); full bands may be present over T3 and apically on T2 ( P. nuptura Mercet ), but never over T4...................................................................................... Physetopoda Schuster

3. Mesosoma with pronotal band of dense white pubescence (also over scutellum). Metasoma with T2 partially red or integument all black (frequently in more southern localities). Segment of subcostal vein between basal vein and pterostigma 1.5–1.6 times as long as pterostigma length. Wings strongly infuscate..................................... Nemka viduata (Pallas)

- Mesosoma with no significant white pubescence over pronotum (if present, pubescence is sparse, not forming dense band). Metasoma with all black integument. Segment of subcosta between basal vein and pterostigma about 0.7–1.1 times as long as pterostigma length. Wings sub-hyaline to moderately infuscate.............................. Smicromyrme Thomson