Dasymutilla phya (Cameron, 1895) Cameron, 1895

Luz, David R., Williams, Kevin A. & Bartholomay, Pedro R., 2016, The mutillid wasps of the Dasymutilla paradoxa species-group (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae), Zootaxa 4193 (2), pp. 361-372 : 366-368

Dasymutilla phya (Cameron, 1895) , comb. nov.

( Figs 7, 8 , 13, 14 )

Sphaerophthalma [sic!] phya Cameron 1895: 350 . Holotype, ♀, Panama, Bugaba ( NHM, examined).

Sphaerophthalma [sic!] melissa Cameron 1895: 360 . Lectotype, ♀, Panama, Bugaba (NHM, examined), presently designated, syn. nov.

Sphaerophthalma [sic!] melissa: Nonveiller 1990: 87 , ♀ (incertae sedis).

Sphaerophthalma [sic!] phya: Nonveiller 1990: 88 , ♀ (incertae sedis).

Traumatomutilla melissa: Cambra & Quintero 1992: 477 .

Traumatomutilla phya: Cambra & Quintero 1992: 477 .

Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be separated from other members of the D. paradoxa species-group, and all other Dasymutilla females, by the poorly defined pygidium, wherein the apical third is obscurely carinate laterally and convex, and the surface is shagreened throughout with obscure traces of longitudinal rugae basally. Other structural features are similar to the other five known members of the paradoxa group, except the clypeus, which lacks the basal medial longitudinal tubercle. Coloration is intermediate between D. paradoxa and D. paraparadoxa : the T2 spots are yellow and T2-3 are clothed predominantly with black setae, except for the dense appressed golden setae surrounding the posterior T2 spots, and obscure medial golden spot on the T2 apex.

MALE. Unknown.

Distribution. Mexico (Veracruz), Costa Rica, Panama.

Material examined. Type material. Holotype of Sphaerophthalma [sic!] phya , ♀, PANAMA, Bugaba, 800- 1500 ft, 1903-297, Champion ( NHM) . Lectotype of Sphaerophthalma [sic!] melissa , ♀, PANAMA, Bugaba, 800- 1500 ft, 1903-297, Champion ( NHM) . Other material. COSTA RICA: Cartago: CATIE, Turrialba , 23.VI.1996, F.T. Hovore (1♀, CASC) ; Turrialba : 6.VI.1969, Gekis (1♀, CMNH) ; 20–29.VII.1987, H.L. Dozier (2♀, FSCA); Puntarenas: 5-20 km N Rincon, Osa , 24-25.I.1996, F.T. Hovore (1♀, CASC) ; MEXICO: Veracr uz, Poza Rica, Aug. 2.1995, P. & C. Vaurie (1♀, AMNH) ; PANAMA: Chiriquí: V. de Chiriqui, 25-4000 ft., Champion (1♀, UMSP, compared with types of S. melissa and S. phya by Mickel in 1930).

Remarks. This species differs significantly from the other females in the species-group in its apparently undefined pygidium and simple clypeus. In all other traits shown to be diagnostic for species groups in Dasymutilla , however, D. phya , matches the D. paradoxa species-group perfectly. Discovery of the male or future molecular studies may necessitate the transfer of D. phya to a new species-group or genus.

Cameron described S. phya from two specimens, one from Panama and one from Nicaragua (Cameron 1895). In the NHM, only the specimen from Panama was found - the Nicaraguan specimen is apparently lost. We therefore designate the specimen from Bugaba, Panama as the lectotype for Sphaerophthalma [sic!] melissa .

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Dasymutilla paradoxa species-group, ♀. 1. D. fasciventris, habitus, dorsal view; 2. D. fasciventris, habitus, lateral view; 3. D. paradoxa, habitus, dorsal view; 4. D. paradoxa, habitus, lateral view; 5. D. paraparadoxa sp. nov., habitus, dorsal view; 6. D. paraparadoxa sp. nov., habitus, lateral view; 7. D. phya, habitus, dorsal view; 8. D. phya, habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 9 – 14. Dasymutilla paradoxa species-group, ♀. 9. D. paradoxa, head, anterior view; 10. D. paradoxa, pygidium, dorsal view; 11. D. paraparadoxa sp. nov., head, anterior view; 12. D. paraparadoxa sp. nov., pygidium, dorsal view; 13. D. phya, head, anterior view; 14. D. phya, pygidium, dorsal view.