Odontophotopsis sonora ( Schuster, 1958 )

Wilson, Joseph S., 2017, Nocturnal Velvet Ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County, California with the description of three new species, Zootaxa 4319 (2), pp. 329-367 : 346-347

Odontophotopsis sonora ( Schuster, 1958)

Sphaeropthalma (Micromutilla) sonora Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. 37: 16. ♂. Holotype data: Arizona, Tucson ( UMSP).

Diagnosis of male. This species can be recognized by the lack of a tooth on the ventral margin of the mandible, the mandibular apex is tridentate and oblique (see Pitts 2007: Fig. 32), and by the clypeus being elongate and projecting over the dorsal margins of the mandibles. Also, this species lacks mesosternal armature, even though it is placed in the genus Odontophotopsis . Genitalia are illustrated by Pitts et al. (2009: Figs 20, 21).

Female. Unknown, but will possibly be similar to the females of the O. melicausa species-group based on male morphology.

Material examined. Holotype data: Arizona, Tucson, 10 Sep 1935. Bryant ( UMSP) . JTNP: 26–28.Aug.2012: 1 ♂ S3; 4 ♂ S7; 4 ♂ S9. 22–24.Sep.2012: 1 ♂ S1; 1 ♂ S5; 1 ♂ S7.

Distribution. USA (Arizona, California, and Nevada).

Activity. This species is seemingly rare at JTNP.

Remarks. Pitts (2007) moved this species from Sphaeropthalma to Odontophotopsis based on genitalic morphology and presence of dense plumose fringes on the metasoma, even though the species lacks mesosternal tubercles. Pitts et al. (2010b) performed a molecular phylogenetic analysis and confirmed this taxonomic change. It is placed in its own species-group. Although this species is found in multiple deserts (e.g. Ferguson 1967; Pitts 2007; Pitts et al. 2009; Boehme et al. 2012), this species seems to be more abundant in the more northern areas of its range in the Mojave Desert ( Table 2 & 3).