Odontophotopsis microdonta Ferguson, 1967

Boehme, Nicole F., Tanner, David A., Williams, Kevin A. & Pitts, James P., 2012, Faunal study of velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) and their activity patterns and habitat preference at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada, USA, Zootaxa 3587, pp. 1-45 : 21

Odontophotopsis microdonta Ferguson, 1967

( Figs 6 , 14)

Odontophotopsis (Odontophotopsis) microdonta Ferguson, 1967: 22 ,

3. Holotype: Nevada, Nye County, 5 mi. NNW Mercury (NMNH).

Diagnosis. MALE. This species has a head that is rounded posteriorly, deeply excised mandibles that are slightly dilated apically ( Fig. 14), has a transverse clypeus that is slightly depressed below mandibular margins, but lacks a tubercle situated posteromedially on the clypeus, has a pair of denticulate mesosternal processes situated more laterally and posteriorly than in O. clypeata , has a shiny glabrous pygidium and the metasoma is usually castaneous, at least around the felt lines. Genitalia are illustrated in Fig. 6 . FEMALE. Unknown.

Material examined. Type material. Holotype of O. microdonta : Nevada, Nye County, 5 mi. NNW Mercury , 25 Aug 1964, W. E. Ferguson ( NMNH) . Other material. Nevada, Nye Co., AMNWR: Non-dune site 1: 1 ♂, LT, 21–23.VII.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 4–6.VIII.2009, NFB ; Non-dune site 2: 1 ♂, LT, 21–23.VII.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 18–23.IX.2009, NFB ; Non-dune site 3: 17 ♂, LT, 23–25.VI.2009, 8 ♂, LT, 21–23.VII.2009, 2 ♂, LT, 4–6.VIII.2009, 4 ♂, LT, 17–19.VIII.2009, 7 ♂, LT, 18–23.IX.2009, NFB ; Non-dune site 4: 1 ♂, PT, 23. VII.2008, 1 ♂, LT, 8–15.VI.2009, NFB & DAT, 3 ♂, LT, 23–25.VI.2009, 13 ♂, LT, 21–23.VII.2009, 4 ♂, LT, 17–19.VIII.2009, 4 ♂, LT, 18–23.IX.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 1 ♂, PT, 2–4.X.2009, NFB ; Sand dune site 1: 1 ♂, LT, 4–6.VIII.2009, NFB ; Sand dune site 4: 2 ♂, LT, 18–23.IX.2009, NFB ; Non-dune site 5: 2 ♂, LT, 13. VI.2008, 1 ♂, LT, 23.VII.2008, NFB & DAT, 1 ♂, LT, 12–14.V.2009, 2 ♂, LT, 26–28.V.2009, 11 ♂, LT, 23–25.VI.2009, 13 ♂, LT, 21–23.VII.2009, 6 ♂, LT, 4–6.IX.2009, 8 ♂, LT, 18–23.IX.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 2–4.X.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 16–18.X.2009, NFB.

Distribution. USA (California and Nevada).

Activity. Males were active from mid-spring through mid-autumn (May through mid-October).

Remarks. Odontophotopsis microdonta were collected significantly more often in non-sand dune habitats than in sand dune habitats (U=24, p=0.02). One hundred and nineteen O. microdonta males were collected from May through October at light and pitfall traps. One hundred twelve O. microdonta males were found at the NTS via light and pitfall traps ( Ferguson 1967). This species was first described by Ferguson (1967) from the NTS and is most abundant in the Mojave Desert.

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 11. Male genitalia. 2. Odontophotopsis acmaea: dorsal view (left) and internal view (right); 3. O. armata: dorsal view and lateral view of cuspis (inset); 4. O. bellona: dorsal view; 5. O. mamata: dorsal view and lateral view of cuspis (inset); 6. O. microdonta: dorsal view (right) and ventral view (left); 7. O. piute: dorsal view; 8. O. serca: dorsal view and lateral view of cuspis (inset); 9. Sphaeropthalma nana: internal view; 10. S. orestes: dorsal view (left) and ventral view (right); and 11. S. parkeri: dorsal view (left) and ventral view (right).