Sphaeropthalma fergusoni Pitts, 2010

Wilson, Joseph S., 2017, Nocturnal Velvet Ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County, California with the description of three new species, Zootaxa 4319 (2), pp. 329-367 : 354

Sphaeropthalma fergusoni Pitts, 2010 , in Pitts et al. (2010)

Sphaeropthalma fergusoni Pitts, 2010 , in Pitts et al. (2010). Zootaxa , 2553: 21–23. ♂. Holotype data: California, Riverside County, Corn Springs , 24.Jun.2004, K.A. Williams ( EMUS).

Diagnosis of male. This species can be recognized by its quadrate head, the thickened apex of the clypeus (see Pitts et al. 2010a: Fig. 41), the mid coxa with a median denticle present on the inner margin and diagnostic genitalia with which it shares features only with S. arnalduri Pitts (see Pitts et al. 2010a: Fig. 65), while lacking any mesosternal processes.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype data: California, Riverside Co., Corn Springs , 24.Jun.2004, K.A. Williams ( EMUS) . JTNP: 18–21.Jul.2012: 1 ♂ N9; 1 ♂ S18. 26–28.Aug.2012: 2 ♂ N3; 1 ♂ N1; 52 ♂ T; 69 ♂ S1; 7 ♂ S3; 1 ♂ S5; 5 ♂ S7; 2 ♂ S9; 3 ♂ S11; 5 ♂ S13; 4 ♂ S18.22– 24.Sep.2012: 1 ♂ N7; 1 ♂ S1; 2 ♂ S18. 26–28.Oct.2012: 2 ♂ S18.

Distribution. USA (California).

Activity. This species is seemingly active later in the season at JTNP.

Remarks. The distribution of this species was previously known only from two sites (Pitts et al. 2010a). It is quite abundant at JTNP ( Table 2 & 3). The mandible looks similar to that of S. angulifera . However, their genitalia differ drastically, with the most obvious difference being that S. angulifera has the cuspis cylindrical, while S. fergusoni has it dorsoventrally flattened. This species is currently placed in the S. fergusoni species-group ( Pitts & Sadler 2015) along with S. arnalduri Pitts, 2010 . In order for this species to key out correctly in Pitts et al. (2010a), the following modifications need to be made to the species key on page 29:

4. Hind or mid coxae with lobes or denticles................................................................. 5 -. Hind and mid coxae unmodified........................................................................ 9 5. Hind or mid coxae with denticles........................................................................ 6 -. Hind coxae with lobes................................................................................. 7