Lomachaeta hicksi Mickel

Pitts, James P. & Manley, Donald G., 2004, A Revision of Lomachaeta Mickel, with a new species of Smicromutilla Mickel (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Zootaxa 474, pp. 1-27 : 14-17

7. Lomachaeta hicksi Mickel

( Figs. 5 , 8–11 , 16–18, 22 , 25, 27 )

Lomachaeta hicksi Mickel 1936:289 , Holotype ɗ, USA: California, Los Angeles Co., Pasadena, 2.V.1928, C. H. Hicks (UMIC); Paratype ɗ, same data as holotype, 20.II.1928, C. H. Hicks (UMIC); Allotype Ψ, USA: California, Sierra Madre, 15.IV.1928, C. H. Hicks (UMIC).

Lomachaeta coloradensis Mickel 1936:292 . Holotype ɗ USA, Colorado, Boulder Co., 13.III.1926, C.H. Hicks (UMIC). NEW SYNONYMY.

Lomachaeta punctinota Mickel 1936:293 . Holotype ɗ, USA, Illinois, Jackson Co., Carbondale, 17.IX.1891, from grape (INHS).

Lomachaeta minutula Mickel 1936:294 . Holotype Ψ, ( USA: Tennessee, Shelby Co., Memphis or Missouri, St. Louis Co., St. Louis), Hot Springs, VII.1904, H. S. Barber (USNM).

Lomachaeta variegata Mickel 1940:128 . Holoype ɗ, USA, California, Riverside Co., 2.V.1939, R.M. Bohart (CASC). NEW SYNONYMY.

Lomachaeta formosula Mickel 1940:130 . Holotype ɗ, MEXICO, Coahuila, Puerta de la Goriona, 4900’, Sierra del Carmen, 13.VII.1938, R. H. Baker (UMIC).

Dasymutilla mickeli Manley and Deyrup 1987:123 . Holotype ɗ, USA: FLORIDA, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 6.X.1983, M. Deyrup, (USNM). NEW SYNON­ YMY.

Diagnosis. Males are defined by presence of a ventral mandibular tooth, indistinct brachyplumose pubescence (serrate), and absence of long setae on the ventral margin of the parameres ( Figs. 16–18, 22 ). Females of this species do not have the sculpture of mesosomal dorsum concealed by stout decumbent orange white setae. However, the dorsum of the mesosoma is concolorous with head, T2 lacks stout decumbent orange white setae, the thoracic dorsum varies from broadly reticulate throughout to the anterior third to half being distinctly more narrow than posteriorly, T5 having sparse, black setae and the pygidial area orange in coloration.

Material examined. USA: Arizona: Cochise Co.: Bisbee, 4Ψ 2ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Huachuca Mts., Bear Canyon, 1ɗ 5.VII.1966, Hanson ( BBSL); Portal, 6ɗ 10– 13.VIII.1974, 2ɗ 19.VIII.1987, 1ɗ 31.VIII.1987, 1ɗ 12.IX.1987, 1ɗ 2.X.1987, H.&M. Townes ( AEIC); 5 mi West of Portal, 1ɗ 7.VI.1965 ( UAIC); 5 mi W of Portal, South Western Research Station, 1ɗ 10.VI.1963, 2ɗ 13.VII.1963, 1ɗ 7.X.1962 ( AMNH); 8.5m N Portal, 1Ψ 5ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Cave Creek, Sunny Flat, 1ɗ 13.IX.1980 ( BBSL); Chiricahua Mts., 2Ψ 12ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Coconino Co.: 6m N Cameron, 2ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Felton, 6Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 4m S Jacob’s Lake, 1Ψ 6ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 11m S Jacob’s Lake, 9Ψ 11ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 20m S Jacob’s Lake, 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Gila Co.: Payson, 1Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 2m S Pine, 4ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 19 m E Punken, 3Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Pima Co., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, 1ɗ 18–23.VI. 1962, F. Werner ( UAIC); Santa Cruz Co., Patagonia, 31°53’N, 110°77’W, 1ɗ 14.VIII.1994, 4ɗ 3.IX.1995, 1ɗ 24.IX.1995, 1ɗ 14. X.1995, B. Brown ( JPPC, DGMC, and CNCI); Yavapai Co.: 15m E Camp Verde, 1Ψ 18ɗ reared by F.D.

Parker ( BBSL); Clarkdale, 1Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 11m W Jerome, 4Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Prescott, 14Ψ 18ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL). Arkansas: Pulaski Co., Pinnacle Mt. State Park, 3ɗ 15–25.VI.2002, J.P. Pitts ( JPPC); Pulaski Co., Camp Robinson, 8ɗ VII.2002, B. Baldwin ( JPPC). California: Alpine Co., Silver Creek, 1ɗ 13.VII.1948, R. M. Bohart ( UCDC); Fresno Co., White Creek, 12 m W Coalinga, 1Ψ 3ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Inyo Co: 6m NE Pine, 11Ψ 10ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 8m NE Pine, 9Ψ 6ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 11 m NE Big Pine, 1Ψ 10ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Napa Co., Pope Valley, 1/ 3 km S Aetna Springs, 6ɗ 3– 14.IX.1993, L. S. Kimsey ( UCDC); Los Angeles Co. Tanbark Flat, 1ɗ 17.VI.1956, R. M. Bohart ( UCDC); Riverside Co.: 3 m W Banning, 4ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 9 m W Banning, 4Ψ 3ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 1 m W Jacumba, 2Ψ 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Fullmer Lake, 3Ψ 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Sacramento Co.: 1Ψ 2ɗ IV.1947, unknown ( UAIC); Nevada Co., Sagehen Creek 1920 m: 3ɗ 2–5.VII.1981, L. French & P. S. Ward ( UCDC), 2ɗ 21.V.1997, E. Schlinger ( UCDC), 1ɗ 28.V.1997, E.&M. Schlinger ( UCDC); Sacramento, 11Ψ 6ɗ IV.1947, reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); San Bernardino Co.: Granite Mts., 4050’, 1Ψ 22–25.V.1983, T.L. Griswold ( BBSL); Morongo Valley, 3Ψ 3ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Pinnacles Natl. Mon., 1 mi W Chaparral Campgrounds, 1ɗ 31.V.1998, O. Messinger ( BBSL); Santa Cruz Co., Felton, 10ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Shasta Co., 2mi W. Shingletown, 2750’, malaise trap, 1ɗ 1– 9.VIII.1986, R. Miller ( JPPC); Solano Co., Cold Canyon Reserve, 11 km W Winters, 2ɗ 18.IX–2. X.1991, 1 ɗ 13–24.IX.1990, 1ɗ 4–10.VII.1990, D. Carmean ( UCDC). Florida: Alachua Co., Gainesville, Picree Homestead, 1ɗ 10.IX.1976, Pierce ( UCDC); Alachua Co., Paines Prairie, 1ɗ 21.III.1977, G. B. Fairchild ( UCDC); Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 6ɗ, 2.VI.1986, 9.VI.1986, 25.VII.1986, 8.X.1986, 28.IX.1987, 1.XI.1996, M. Deyrup ( ABSC); Orange Co., Rock Springs Run, 1ɗ 31.V. l995, 1ɗ 7.VI.1995, 1ɗ 14.VI.1995, S. W. Fullerton ( CNCI, UCFC); Orange Co., Wekiwa Springs State Park, 1ɗ 2.IV.2001, 1ɗ 13.IV.2001, 1ɗ 28.IV.2001, 1ɗ 26.V.2001, 3ɗ 1Ψ 9.V 1.2001, 1Ψ 21.VII.2001, 3ɗ 23.V 1.2001, 1ɗ 21.VII.2001, burn zone 43/31, malaise trap, P. J. Russell and S. W. Fullerton ( UCFC). Georgia: Clarke Co., Whitehall Forest, Malaise Trap, 1ɗ 1.X.1997, JPP ( JPPC), 1ɗ 5–9.V.1988, 1ɗ 12–16.V.1988, 2ɗ 23–26.V.1988, 1ɗ 13–16.VI.1988, C.L. Smith ( UGAC), 2ɗ 20.V.1967, 27.V.1970, R.T. Franklin ( UGAC); Jones Co., 1ɗ 26.IV–8. V.1993, 1 ɗ 11–18.V.1993, 1ɗ 24–31.V.1993, 1ɗ 8–15.VI.1993, 1ɗ 22–29.VI.1993, 1ɗ 20–27.VII.1993 ( UGAC). Maryland: Prince George’s Co., Lauret, Patuxent Research Station, 2ɗ 1–8.VI.1986, 3ɗ 8–15.VI.1986, 1ɗ 5–13.VII.1986, D.B. Wahl ( CNCI). Massachusetts: Norfolk Co., malaise trap, 1ɗ 7.VII.1966, B. and J. Matthews ( JPPC). Missouri: Wayne Co., Williamsville, 1ɗ 26.V– 16.VI.1969, J.T. Becker ( CNCI). North Carolina: Sampson Co., Clinton, 1ɗ 24.IV.1951, H.&M. Townes ( AEIC); Wake Co., 1ɗ 4.VII.1984, S. Nolfo ( UCDC). New Mexico: Catron Co., Datril, 1Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 5m W Datril, 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Hidalgo Co.: 5m E Granite, 2Ψ 4ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 10m NE Lordsburg, 3ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 15m N Lordsburg, 2ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Sierra Co., Kingston, 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Socorro Co.: Bingham, 2Ψ 6ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 3m NW Socorro, 1Ψ 3ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL). Nevada: Clark Co., 16m W Searchlight, 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Douglas Co., Topaz Lake, 1ɗ 17.VIII.1960, D. Q. Cavagnaro ( UCDC); Washoe Co.: Patrick, 2ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Verdi: 1ɗ 4Ψ no date, 1Ψ 25.XII.1960, 1Ψ 1ɗ from Queen Ann’s Lace, 25.XII.1960, 6ɗ from Queen Ann’s Lace, 16.XII.1960, 1ɗ from Wild Buckwheat, 25.XII.1960, 3Ψ from Elderberry, 28.I.1961, reared by F. D. Parker ( UCDC). Oklahoma, Latimer Co., 1Ψ VII.1988, Karl Stephan ( UGAC). Oregon: Benton Co., Corvallis, 1ɗ 29.VII.1978, H.&.M. Townes ( AEIC); Grant Co., Aldrich Mts., 1ɗ 16.VI.1987, H.&.M. Townes ( AEIC); Hood River Co., Parkdale, 1ɗ 20.VII.1978, H.&.M. Townes ( AEIC). Texas: Erath Co., 5 mi. N. Stephensville, 1ɗ 16–17.V.1980, P.T. Riherd; Gillespie Co., Fredericksburg, 2ɗ 5.V.1987, 1ɗ 7.V.1987, H.&.M. Townes ( AEIC); Kerr Co., Kerrville, 1ɗ 1.V.1987, H.&.M. Townes ( AEIC); Val Verde Co., Devil’s River, Dolan Falls, 1ɗ 24–26.VI.1995, A. Hook & O. Hernandez ( DGMC). South Carolina, Aiken Co.: Savanah River Project, Funnel Trap, 1Ψ 19.V.1994, C. New ( JPPC); Savanah River Project, water trap, 1ɗ 22.IV.1994, C. New ( UGAC); Greenville Co., Greenville, 1ɗ 9.III.1955, L.&G. Townes ( AEIC). Utah: Cache Co.: Black Smith Fork Canyon, 13Ψ 17ɗ reared by J.P. Pitts ( BBSL); Crowley Canyon, 1ɗ 27.VIII–3.VIII. 989, Hanson ( BBSL); Four Mile Canyon, 1ɗ 3–11.VI.1992, 1ɗ 21–31.VII.1992, Hanson & Kelly ( BBSL); Logan Canyon, 132Ψ 171ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); 9 mi W Mendon, 5Ψ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Tony Grove Junction, 1ɗ 8–16.VIII.1983 ( BBSL); Garfield Co., Cass Creek Reserve, Mt. Hillers, 1ɗ 26.VII.1978 D. Vogt ( BBSL); Kane Co.: Chamb Ranch, 1ɗ 17–30.VIII.1982, C.R. Neson ( BBSL); 4 mi N Glendale, 1ɗ 9–14.VIII.1986, Hanson ( BBSL); Uintah Co.: SW Bonanza, 5000’, 1ɗ 12.VI. 1981, 1ɗ 9.VII.1981, 1ɗ 11.VIII.1981, Schwartz & Miller ( BBSL); Utah Co., Hobble Creek Canyon, 5Ψ 30– 31.VII.1982, C. R. Nelson ( BBSL); Washington Co.: Leeds Canyon, 1ɗ reared by F.D. Parker ( BBSL); Upper Deep Creek, 1ɗ 20–31.VIII.1981, C. R. Nelson ( BBSL). Wyoming: Lincoln Co., Kemmerer, 1ɗ 13.VII.1981, Meadows & Coombs ( BBSL). MEX­ ICO: Baja California, Rio San. Salv., Hwy 3, 1077 m, 3ɗ 2–7.VI.1997, M. E. Irwin & E. I. Schlinger ( UCDC). Puebla, 3 mi NW Petlailcingo, 1ɗ 3.IV.1962, L. Stange ( UCDC); Ixtalhucan del Rio Jal, 1ɗ 17.IX.1970, R. M. Bohart ( UCDC).

Distribution. Ranges from Oregon to Mexico and east to Florida and Massachusetts.

Hosts. Solierella blaisdelli , S. plenoculoides similis , and Pisonopsis birkmani .

Remarks. Males of this species are geographically variable in coloration. Coloration of the male metasoma varies from being completely orange for individuals from Central and Southern California to completely black for individuals from the Northern extent of the range ( Fig. 25 ), although a small number of specimens from Maryland have orange integument around the felt line of T2 (e.g., Fig. 27 ). Furthermore, the color can vary from completely dark (brown to black) with some orange localized around the felt lines to having T2 and S2 completely orange ( Fig. 27 ) in the remaining extent of the Southern range. Also for some individuals, the dark coloration of T2 is sometimes so reduced that it appears as a medial dark maculation. This maculation can vary from a slight spot in the center of the tergite to a longitudinal band stretching the length of the tergite.

The color variation is so apparent that it caused one author to create six synonyms. Color characters have been found to be inadequate for defining species. Males of L. coloradensis , L. punctinota , L. hicksi , and L. variegata and females of L. variegata and L. minutula have been reared out of the same nest from several areas multiple times. Also, the male genitalia of all species concerned are highly conservative ( Figs. 16–18, 22 ). The only conclusion that can be drawn is that these species are synonymous. Furthermore, after studying the types of D. mickeli and L. formosula and many additional specimens of D. mickeli , they are concluded to be synonyms of L. hicksi as well.

Punctation also tends to vary geographically. When punctuation is studied over the entire range, however, no species­level characters can be found. As with the color, it seems that one form of punctuation predominates over another in certain regions. For specimens that are darkly colored, the pronotum normally has large dense punctures laterally and has small, sparse punctures medially. This usually occurs in specimens from the Northwest ( Fig. 8 ) with the punctures tending to be denser in individuals from the Northeast ( Fig. 10 ). For these northeastern specimens, the pronotal sculpturing is often similar to that of L. cirrhomeris specimens ( Fig. 7 ). For specimens in the Southern USA, which have orange tergal maculations or completely orange metasomas, the sculpturing tends to differ slightly in density compared to the Northern USA. The pronotal and mesonotal sculpturing vary from that of individuals from California ( Fig. 9 ) to that of individuals in the remaining Southern USA ( Fig. 11 ).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 5. 1 – 2, Lomachaeta hicksi ♂, 1. first and second metasomal segment, dorsal view; 2. wing; 3. L. chionothrix, male genitalia, dorsal and lateral view, scale = 0.25 mm; 4. L. cirrhomeris, male genitalia, dorsal and lateral view, scale = 0.25 mm; 5. L. hicksi, dorsal view.

FIGURES 6 – 13. 6 – 12, Pronotum and mesonotum of males, dorsal view of left half, not to same scale, 6. Lomachaeta chionothrix; 7. L. cirrhomeris; 8. L. hicksi; 9. L. hicksi; 10. L. hicksi; 11. L. hicksi; 12. L. ptilohyalus. 13. Mesonotum of L. hyphantria, dorsal view.

FIGURES 14 – 23. Internal view of male genitalia, 14. Lomachaeta chionothrix; 15. L. cirrhomeris; 16. L. hicksi; 17. L. hicksi; 18. L. hicksi; 19. L. ptilohyalus; 20. L. crocopinna; 21. L. hyphantria; 22. L. hicksi; 23. Smicromutilla beadugrimi; scale = 0.20 mm.

FIGURES 24 – 29. Habitus of 24. Lomachaeta crocopinna ♂; 25. L. hicksi ♂; 26. L. ptilohyalus ♂; 27. L. hicksi ♂; 28. L. cirrhomeris ♂; 29. L. cirrhomeris Ψ.