Dasymutilla radkei Manley

Williams, Kevin A., Manley, Donald G., Deyrup, Mark, Dohlen, Carol Von & Pitts, James P., 2012, Systematic review of the Dasymutilla monticola species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): using phylogenetics to address species-group placement and sex associations, Zootaxa 3554, pp. 1-29 : 19-20

Dasymutilla radkei Manley in Manley & Radke 2006

( Fig. 20 )

Dasymutilla radkei Manley in Manley & Radke 2006. Southwest. Nat. 51: 539. Holotype, Ƥ: USA,New Mexico, Chaves Co., Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, XI-16-96, W.R. Radke (EMUS).

Diagnosis. FEMALE. The female of this species ( Fig. 20 ) can be separated from other Dasymutilla by the following combination of characters: the head and mesosoma are dark orange or black and clothed with sparse orange setae, there is a yellow-orange integumental patch covering most of T2, the propodeum is simply punctate, and there is a small scutellar scale without any transverse carinae anteriorly. MALE. Unknown.

Length. Females: 8–11 mm.

Host. Unknown.

Distribution. This species is known from eastern New Mexico and western Texas.

Material examined. Type material. Holotype, Ƥ, USA, New Mexico, Chaves Co., Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 16.xi.1996, W.R. Radke ( EMUS); Paratypes: USA: New Mexico, Chaves Co., Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 24Ƥ, various dates, W.R. Radke ( DGMC, EMUS); Texas, Gaines Co., 5 mi S Seminole, 1Ƥ, 25.x.1993, S. Bell ( DGMC). Other material. USA, New Mexico, Lea Co. , South of Hwy. 529, 32 °46'N 103°48'W, 1Ƥ, 15.VII.2010, G.C. Waldren ( EMUS); Texas: Ward Co., Monahans Sand Hills State Park: 13Ƥ, 1–2.VI.1999, C.R. Nelson ( EMUS); 1Ƥ, 29.VII.1995, S.D. Gaimari ( EMUS).

Remarks. This species is similar to D. vesta , being separated only by coloration. It was initially known only from eastern New Mexico, but 13 specimens were discovered from Monahans Sand Hills State Park in Ward County, Texas. From this locality, males that are similar to D. vesta were also found. These males have the dorsal portions of the head and mesosoma dark red, rather than black as in most specimens of D. vesta . These could be the males of D. radkei , but we refrain from associating them without molecular evidence or a greater understanding of intraspecific variation.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 23. Habitus, dorsal view, Ƥ. 9. Dasymutilla archboldi; 10. D. arenneronea (D. chattahoochei); 11. D. birkmani; 12. D. bonita; 13. D. campanula; 14. D. canella; 15. D. chalcocephala; 16. D. birkmani (D. corcyra); 17. D. eurynome; 18. D. macilenta; 19. D. monticola; 20. D. radkei; 21. D. saetigera; 22. D. spilota; 23. D. vesta.