Ephuta Say, 1836 (as subgenus of Mutilla Linnaeus, 1758). Boston J. Nat. Hist. 1(3): 297. Male, female.

Gender. Feminine.

Type species. Mutilla (Ephuta) scrupea Say, 1836 (male), by subsequent designation of Ashmead, 1899: 57 (the simultaneous indication “= M. parvula Cr. ♀ ” is unidentifiable and in any case indicated as a synonym). The later designation of Mutilla (Ephuta) erythrina Say, 1836 (= Mutilla antiguensis Fabricius, 1775) by André, 1904a: 38 is invalid.

Taxonomic history. Junior subjective synonym of Mutilla Linnaeus, 1758 according to Fox, 1898: 14. Raised to generic status by Ashmead, 1899: 57. Senior subjective synonym of Rhoptromutilla André, 1902c . Valid generic name.

Sex association. The female of the type species was associated and described by Schuster, 1951: 34; 1957: 29; both sexes were described (for Rhoptromutilla) by André, 1902c: 43.

Distribution. Nearctic, Neotropical.