Darditilla debilis (Gerstaecker, 1874)

Luz, David R. & Williams, Kevin A., 2014, The first sexual associations in the genus Darditilla Casal, 1965 (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae), ZooKeys 454, pp. 41-68 : 49-52

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Mutillidae

Darditilla debilis (Gerstaecker, 1874) Figs 5-6, 17-20

Mutilla debilis Gerstaecker, 1874. Arch. Naturgesch. 40: 60. Holotype female, Brasil. mer, Sello. (ZMB, examined).

Diagnosis.

Male. Males are similar to Darditilla bejaranoi , but have a simply convex tegula, have the ventral impuctate lamella of the clypeus less produced than the preceding species (Fig. 5D), and have the apical and preapical teeth of the penis valve coalescent (Fig. 19).

Female. The female of Darditilla debilis is similar to Darditilla bejaranoi , but can be recognized by its reddish mesosoma, at most having reduced dark stains laterally (Fig. 6A); by its pygidium, which is densely granulate throughout (Fig. 6E); and by its S1, which has a weak darkened median longitudinal carina.

Description.

Male. Body length 5.7-8.4 mm. Coloration. Body and appendages black, except mandibles and metasoma dark brown apically. Tibial spurs white. Forewing slightly and uniformly infuscated between veins, veins brown; hindwing slightly infuscated. Body clothed with whitish setae, except disc of T2 and T7 with scattered brownish setae, mesoscutum, tegula, and T6 with dark brown setae, bristles of tergal fringes silver to pale yellowish. Head. Rounded posteriorly. Head width 1.0 × pronotal width. Eye transversely ovate. Ocelli small; ocellocular distance 7.1 × length of lateral ocellus, interocellar distance 3.1 × lateral ocellus length. Occipital carina distinct, extending ventrally almost to level of oral fossa. Punctation on front dense, interspaces micropunctate; gena densely punctate, interspaces with sparse micropunctures; and vertex moderately punctate, interspaces glabrous. Gena ecarinate. Antennal scrobe broadly concave to eye margin, with transverse tubercle dorsally. Clypeus densely punctate, ventral margin produced as a short slightly upcurved transverse impunctate lamella. Flagellomere 1 1.4 × pedicel length; flagellomere 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mandible convergent to bidentate apex, dorsal carina gradually becoming obsolete on inner tooth; edentate ventrally. Mesosoma. Epaulets weakly produced. Pronotal dorsum densely punctate; anterior face almost smooth; lateral face densely punctate. Tegula evenly convex, glabrous except with long recumbent setae anterolaterally and posteromesally. Mesoscutum with dense coarse punctures; posterolateral corner forming a small angulate lobe. Scutellum slightly convex, with coarse punctures. Axilla flat and punctate, except lateral margin with narrow vertical lamella. Metanotum surface obscured by dense shaggy mesally facing recumbent setae. Propodeum convex, broadly and deeply reticulate except smooth and shining adjacent to metapleuron. Mesopleuron moderately punctate, interspaces micropunctate. Metapleuron smooth and shining ventrally, setose and micropunctate dorsally. Wings. Forewing with moderate elongate sclerotized pterostigma; marginal cell broadly rounded and truncate apically; three submarginal cells, third scarcely delimited by obscure venation. Legs. Mid- and hind tibiae lacking strong spines, distinct apical secretory pore on inner surface near base of inner spur; spurs finely serrate on margins. Metasoma. T1 gradually broadened from base, not constricted apically, sessile with T2, 0.6 × width of T2, sparsely punctate; apex with fringe of simple setae or thickened bristles. T2 with coarse to moderate punctures, interspaces smooth and generally broader than punctures; apex with fringe interspersed recumbent thickened parallel bristles; felt line 0.5 × lateral length of T2. T3-5 densely and finely punctate, covered with interspersed erect and recumbent setae, except fringes with row of bristles as in T2. T6 densely punctate, covered with less dense recumbent and erect setae. T7 coarsely and densely punctate, punctures uneven medially, appearing rugose; posterior half forming oval pygidium margined laterally and posteriorly by a strong sharp carina, apical margin rounded, surface flat, microgranulate with numerous large irregular transverse rugae. S1 punctate and setose, with medial longitudinal carina extending from base to apex. S2 moderately punctate. S3-6 moderately and finely punctate, with fairly sparse erect and recumbent setae. Lateral margins of S2-5 sometimes with similar bristles to those of T2-6. S7 transversely rectangular. Hypopygium coarsely punctate, posteromedial margin with two approximate weak teeth medially. Genitalia (Figs 17-20). Paramere tapering apically, slightly curved ventrally on basal half, dense setal brush on basoventral lateral margin, scattered setae along inner and lateral margins. Cuspis acute angulate apically, extending ~0.3 × free length of paramere, with densely setose oblique ventral surface. Digitus laterally compressed and rounded apically, extending ~0.3 × free length of paramere, asetose. Penis valve asetose, bidentate apically with apical and preapical tooth, basoventral margin slightly expanded apically as blunt tooth, basodorsal margin with slight tubercle.

Extended female diagnosis. Body length 4.8-10 mm. Coloration. Head and metasoma black. Mesosoma reddish, rarely with dark stains laterally. Appendages blackish, often reddish basally. Tibial spurs whitish. Vertex with arcuate transverse band of recumbent silver to golden setae, front and remainder of vertex with recumbent black setae; genal setae silver. Mesosomal dorsum with sparse erect black setae, except anterior margin pronotum with pale yellow setae. Posterior fringes of T1 and T2 black; T2 with lateral circular silver setal spots; T3-6 clothed with black setae basally and silver setae apically. Head. Transverse, posterior margin flat, occipital carina obscure. Head width 1.3 × pronotal width. Eye slightly ovate transversely, ommatidia distinct. Front and vertex densely punctate; gena moderately punctate. Genal carina well-defined, extending nearly to hypostomal carina. Clypeus with transverse glabrous concavity, margined by dorsal and ventral carinae, between widely separated lateral teeth. Mandible slender, tapering, bidentate apically (subapical tooth minute, distant from apex and usually obliterated through wear), unarmed ventrally. Antennal scrobe with complete dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle punctate basally, with weak scratches on anterior face, glabrous dorsally. Scape simple, moderately punctate. Flagellomere 1 1.9 × pedicel length; flagellomere 2 1.8 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.3 × width. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely reticulate, propodeal reticulae broader and shallower. Lateral pronotal carina extending to epaulet, humeral angle with sharp obtuse angle. Mesopleuron finely densely punctate and setose, posterior margin defined by vertical carina. Metapleuron and lateral face of propodeum smooth and shining dorsally with isolated fine setae, micropunctate and densely setose ventrally. In dorsal view, mesosoma broadened to anterior third, strongly narrowed at propodeal spiracle, propodeum abruptly broadened. Scutellar scale lacking. Propodeum convex, dorsal and lateral faces not obviously differentiated. Legs. Foreleg with a few long strong articulated spines on posterior/lateral margins of tarsomeres. Mid- and hind tibiae each with two rows of prominent spines, 2-4 spines in each row; apical spurs finely serrated laterally. Hind tibia with distinct secretory pore on inner/posterior surface near base of inner spur. Metasoma. T1gradually broadened from base, not constricted apically, sessile with T2, 0.6 × as wide as T2; anterior face moderately punctate and setose. T2 densely punctate and setose, punctures slightly larger and sparser anterolaterally; felt line broad, 0.4 × as long as T2 laterally. T3-5 densely punctate. Pygidium broad and slightly convex, lateral margins defined by distinct weakly bowed carina, posterior margin rounded and defined by indistinct carina, densely granulate throughout. S1 punctate, with weak darkened median longitudinal carina. S2 densely punctate. S3-5 densely punctate. S6 moderately punctate.

Material examined.

Type material. Holotype: 'Brasil. mer\Sello.' (green label partially handwritten) ‘6648’ ‘Type’ (red label) 'Lectotypus\C.E. Mickel’ (red label partially handwritten) [1 female: ZMB]. Other material. 92 males and 101 females as follows: ARGENTINA: Entre Ríos: XII.1996 (Liebig, Zelich) [4 females, 4 males: AMNH]; Missiones: Dos de Mayo, XII.1989 (Foerster) [1 male: AMNH]; Puerto Esperanza, XII.1976 (M.A. Fritz) [3 males: AMNH]; XII.1973 (M.A. Fritz) [19 males: AMNH]; BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte, Museu de História Natural, 22.III.1998 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 female: DZUP]; 9 km E de Catas Altas, Serra da Caraça, 12.I.2012 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 female: DZUP]; 8 km S de Ouro Preto, Lago do Custódio, 20.I.2012 (G.A.R. Melo) [3 females: DZUP]; Serra do Caraca, S. Barbara, I.1970 (F.M. Oliveira) [1 male: EMUS]; Viçosa, M. do Paraiso, 5.I.1995 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 female: DZUP]; same city, XII.1944 (Wygodzinsky) [1 female: MNRJ]; Paraná: Capitão Leônidas Marques, Salto Caxias, 6-13.X.2004 (Soares, E.D.G.) [3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 13-20.X.2004 (Soares, E.D.G.) [5 males: DZUP]; same locality, 3-10.XI.2004 (Soares, E.D.G.) [12 males: DZUP]; Fazenda do Jordão, Posto Florestal, Salto Segredo, 6-10.X.2004 (Soares, E.D.G.) [1 male: DZUP]; Jaguatirica, Rio Capivari, 1.III.2003 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 male: DZUP]; Piraquara, Mananciais da Serra, 13.XII.2002 (Garcia, E.Q.) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 13.XII.2002 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 23.I.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 2.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 5.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 8.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 19.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 26.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [3 females: DZUP]; same locality, 27.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 14.III.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [3 females: DZUP]; same locality, 3.IV.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 27.I.2001 (G.A.R. Melo) [5 males: DZUP]; Ponta Grossa, Parque Estadual da Vila Velha, 5.IV.2013 (K.A. Williams) [12 females: DZUP]; same locality, 6.IV.2013 (K.A. Williams) [10 females: DZUP]; same locality, 11.XII.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 25.XII.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 11.III.2002 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; Prudentópolis, 8.II.1970 (J.S. Moure) [1 female: DZUP]; Tibagi, XII.1952 (Justus) [1 female: DZUP]; Rio de Janeiro: Itatiaia: Faz. Penedo, II.1943 (Wygodzinsky) [1 female: MNRJ]; same city, 700m, XII.1954 (W. Zikan) [1 female: MNRJ]; Petropolis, IV.1952 (C. Novais) [1 female: MNRJ]; Rio Grande do Sul: Arroio Grande, 101m, 32°13'S, 53°12'W, 9.IV.2004 (R.F. Kruger) [1 male: UFES]; Santa Catarina: Criciúma, Campus da UNESC, 16.XI.2002 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 male: DZUP]; Nova Teutonia, XI.1968 (F. Plaumann) [1 female: EMUS]; same locality, various dates (F. Plaumann) [16 females: MNRJ]; same locality, various dates (F. Plaumann) [3 females: YPM); same locality, XI.1968 (F. Plaumann) [2 males: YPM]; same locality, XII.1968 (F. Plaumann) [1 male: YPM]; same locality, XI.1980 (F. Plaumann) [1 female: DZUP]; São Paulo: Barueri, various dates (K. Lenko) [3 females: CASC]; same locality, V.1958 (K. Lenko) [1 female: MNRJ]; Batatais, I.1946 (J.S. Moure) [1 female: DZUP]; Cajuru, Fazenda Rio Grande, 2-18.XI.1999 (G.A.R. Melo & Nascimento) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 17.XI-2.XII.1999 (G.A.R. Melo & Nascimento) [3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 18.XII.1999-10.I.2000 (G.A.R. Melo & Nascimento) [3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 10.I-1.II.2000 (G.A.R. Melo & Nascimento) [4 males: DZUP]; Caraguatatuba, 1.III.1967 (M.E. Irwin) [1 female: CASC]; Cosmópolis, 22.I.1974 (J.G. Rozen et al.) [3 females: EMUS]; Est. Biol. Boracéia, 850m, 27.II.1967 (M.E. Irwin) [2 females: CASC]; Estação Ecológica de Jatai, Luís Antônio, 22.IV.1999 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 16.X.1999 (G.A.R. Melo) [3 females: DZUP]; Riberão Grande, P.E. Intervales: ponto 2, 24°16'29"S, 48°25'17"W, 22.I.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.II.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [1 male: MZSP]; same locality, 22.XII.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [3 males: MZSP]; same locality, ponto 5, 24°16'23"S, 48°25'22"W, 22.I.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.IV.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.XII.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.XI.2010 (Perioto, N.W.) [1 male: MZSP]; Parque Ainhanguera, 28.II.1986 (C. Costa) [1 female: MZSP]; São Jose dos Campos, XII.1934 (H.S. Lopes) [1 female: MNRJ]; same locality, 5-20.V.1999 (E.R. DePaula) [1 male: EMUS]; Teodoro Sampaio, P.E. Morro do Diabo, Estrada do Angelim, 16.II.1999 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 female: DZUP]; PARAGUAY: Alto Parana: Estancia Dimas, 25°33'S, 55°13'W, 28-30.XI.2005 (U. Dreschel) [1 female: EMUS]; Canindeyú: Tava Yopoi, 24°22'S, 55°53'W, 26.X-4.XI.2007 (U. Dreschel) [1 female: EMUS]; Paraguarí: La Rosada, 28-30.IV.2006 (U. Dreschel) [1 female: EMUS]; San Pedro: Rio Ypane, Cororo, various dates (Fritz) [2 females, 2 males: AMNH, EMUS]; URUGUAY, Río Negro: Arroyo Negro, 15 km S Paysandu, 27-31.XII.1962 (R.G. Van Gelder) [3 males: AMNH].

Distribution.

This species apparently occurs throughout the forest and grassland regions of southern South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Host.

Unknown.

Remarks.

Darditilla debilis is a widely distributed and common species. Over 200 additional specimens were examined in MZSP and others were studied from various North American collections.

Males are associated with Darditilla debilis based on morphological similarity to Darditilla bejaranoi males and overlapping distribution with the females of Darditilla debilis , including five localities where both sexes were collected.