Sphaeropthalma acontia (Fox)

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 : 35

Sphaeropthalma acontia (Fox)

Photopsis nanus Ashmead, 1899 . N. Y. Ent. Soc., Jour. 7: 59. Male. Holotype data: Tucson, Arizona, type no. 3279 (NMNH). Preocc.

Mutilla acontius Fox, 1899 . Amer. Ent. Soc., Trans. 25: 266. Male. Holotype data: Las Cruces, New Mexico, type no. 3279 (ANSP).

Mutilla Ashmeadii Fox, 1899 . Amer. Ent. Soc., Trans. 25: 289. N. name for P. nanus Ashmead.

Diagnosis of male. This species can be recognized by its small size, the moderately emarginate mandibles, the small marginal cell that is shorter than the stigma measured along the costal margin, the lack of mesosternal processes, and the lack of plumose setae even along the margins of the metasomal tergites. The genitalia are similar to S. becki ( Fig. 2 ), but have an extremely short cuspis that barely surpasses the penis valve in lateral view.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co., Algodones Dunes, Cahuilla Ranger Sta. , 10 km WSW Glamis, 1 male, 22.Sep–15.Nov.2008, E. Dreyfus ( UCDC).

Distribution. Widespread throughout the Sonoran Desert and as far east as Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Remarks. We have studied the types of Photopsis nanus Ashmead and Mutilla acontius Fox , and we agree with Ferguson’s (1967) synonymies. This species is very small, and, size wise, along with S. becki , is the smallest species on the dunes.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Lateral view of genitalia. 1. Acanthophotopsis falciformis; 2. Sphaeropthalma becki; 3. S. difficilis; 4. S.