Photomorphus clandestina (Viereck)

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 : 34-35

Photomorphus clandestina (Viereck)

Odontophotopsis clandestinus Viereck, 1903 . Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., Proc. 54: 740. Male. Holotype data: Mesilla, 31 Jul, T.D.A Cockerell (UMSP).

Mutilla hebes Melander, 1903 . Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 29: 311–312. Male. Holotype data: Arrogo, 10 mi W of La Luz, New Mexico, 23 Aug, at light, Type no. 6996 (NMNH). New Synonym.

Photomorphus (Photomorphina) clandestinus Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. 37: 45.

Diagnosis of male. This species is separated from the other nocturnal mutillids on the Algodones Sand Dunes by having tuberculate mesosternal processes that are slightly transverse, parallel, sharply declivous, and have a dorsal transverse groove at the apex of the process ( Fig. 105 ). Other distinguishing characteristics include integument that is entirely testaceous, setae that are hyaline, although they are slightly darker on the last two metasomal segments, and mandibles with a slightly dilated apex, a large basal tooth ( Fig. 104 ), and with an apex that is slightly directed ventrally. Also, the clypeus lacks a well-defined posteromedial tubercle, and the pygidium is granulose. The genitalia are illustrated in Fig. 103 .

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co. : Bard, 1 male, 29.Jul.1959, K. Salazar ( UCDC); Caliapatria, 1 male, 26.May.1956, light trap, T.R. Haig ( UCDC); Palo Verde, 12 males, 17.Aug.1946, P.D. Hurd ( CISC). Distribution. Sonoran Desert east to the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico.

Remarks. This species has not been collected on the dunes so far, but is found near the dunes and also in larger numbers elsewhere in the Sonoran Desert. With further trapping, it will likely be collected on the dunes as well.

C.E. Mickel identified the type of Mutilla hebes Melander as P. clandestina in 1928. We agree with his assertion.

Figures

FIGURES 100 – 107. Sphaeropthalma arota, male: 100. genitalia, dorsal view right, ventral left; 101. head, dorsal view; and 102. mandible, lateral view. Photomorphus clandestina, male, 103. genitalia, dorsal view left, ventral right; 104. mandible, lateral view; and 105. mesosternal processes, oblique angle, posterior view. Odontophotopsis bellona, male, 106. mesosternal processes, anterior view; Photomorphus clandestina, male, 107. genitalia, dorsal view left, ventral right.