Sphaeropthalma parkeri Schuster, 1958

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 : 36-37

Sphaeropthalma parkeri Schuster, 1958

( Figs 11 , 20)

Sphaeropthalma (Photopsis) parkeri Schuster, 1958: 28 ,

3. Holotype: Arizona, Ehrenberg (UMSP).

Diagnosis. MALE. The male of this species can be recognized by having mandibles that are vertical and are strongly excised ventrally with a distinct basal tooth and an apex that is tridentate and oblique ( Fig. 20), the posterior margin of the head is rounded, the mesosternum lacks processes, the second metasomal sternite with a distinct tuft-like felt line, S2 with a anterormedial carinate tumid region, the pygidium is glabrous and the cuspis of the genitalia spatulate and lack plumose setae. Genitalia are illustrated in Fig. 11 . FEMALE. Unknown.

Material examined. Type material. Holotype of S. parkeri : Arizona, Ehrenberg, 27 April 1939, F.H. Parker ( UMSP) . Other material. Nevada, Nye Co., AMNWR: Non-dune site 2: 1 ♂, LT, 12–14.V.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 26–28.V.2009, NFB ; Sand dune site 1: 1 ♂, LT, 8–15.VI.2009, NFB & DAT ; Sand dune site 2: 1 ♂, LT, 12–14.V.2009, 1 ♂, LT, 26–28.V.2009, NFB ; Sand dune site 5: 2 ♂, LT, 24.VI.2008, NFB, DAT & JPP ; Non-dune site 5: 1 ♂, LT, 8–15.VI.2009, NFB & DAT ; Copeland site: 1 ♂, LT, 14.V.2008, 2 ♂, LT, 13.VI.2008, NFB & DAT.

Distribution. USA (Arizona, California and Nevada).

Activity. Males were active from mid-spring into early summer (May through June).

Remarks. Individuals of S. parkeri were too rarely encountered to determine their habitat preference. Eleven S. parkeri males were collected in May and June via light trapping. Sphaeropthalma parkeri was not found at the NTS.

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).