Dasymutilla melancholica (Smith)

MANLEY, DONALD G. & PITTS, JAMES P., 2007, Tropical and Subtropical Velvet Ants of the Genus Dasymutilla Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) with Descriptions of 45 New Species, Zootaxa 1487 (1), pp. 1-128 : 67

Dasymutilla melancholica (Smith)

Mutilla melancholica Smith, 1879 . Descr. N. Spec. Hym. Br. Mus.:223. Holotype female, Santo Domingo (No. 15.854) [BMNH] (examined).

Diagnosis of Female (Plate C6G). This species is easily recognized by its coloration, lateral armature of the mesosoma, and geographic distribution. The integument of the mesonotum and part of tergum II is dark reddish, the remainder of the integument is black. The propodeum is clothed with long, white setae. The setae of the entire body are contrasting black and white. All of the white setae are long and conspicuous; there are no red setae present. The mesosoma possesses three sharp lateral tubercles along the dorsopleural line. Also, the antennal scrobe of this female is strongly carinate dorsally, a weak genal carina is presnt, and the mesosoma is longer than broad. This species lacks a scutellar scale, but the coarse sculpture may make it look as though a scutellar scale is present.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Hispaniola ( Dominican Republic, Haiti).

Remarks. This species is known only from the female. Due to its coarse sculpture, it does not key out particularly well, as key features are concealed. For that reason, it is placed in the key in two locations. It can be identified largely on the basis of its restricted island distribution. It is known from only two specimens, both of which have been examined.