Physetopoda thai Lelej, 1995

Williams, Kevin A., Lelej, Arkady S., Okayasu, Juriya, Borkent, Christopher J., Malee, Rufeah, Thoawan, Kodeeyah & Thaochan, Narit, 2019, The female velvet ants (aka modkhong) of southern Thailand (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a key to the genera of southeast Asia, Zootaxa 4602 (1), pp. 1-69 : 24

12a. Physetopoda thai Lelej, 1995

( Figs 11 , 71–76 )

Physotopoda thai Lelej 1995b: 15 , ♀; 2005: 51; Okayasu et al. 2018: 308.

Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its T2 pattern, which has one basomedial spot, one apicomedial spot, and two apicolateral spots. Other useful diagnostic features include: the clypeus has a basomedial tooth; the vertex has a transverse patch of silver to golden setae; the mesosoma is longer than wide; the scutellar scale is posteriorly rounded and surrounded by scattered tubercles; and the pygidium is smooth. Body length 3.5–7.5 mm. MALE. Unknown.

Material examined (150 ♀). LAOS, Bolikhamsay Province , Ban Phone Kham environs, 200–300 m, 18 o 19'N 104 o 0 8'E, 2317 o 20'N 101 o 20'E, 23–29.V.2011, M. Brancucci, M. Geiser, D. Hauck, Z. Kraus, A. Phantala, and E. Vongphachan (1♀ RHMB) . MYANMAR, Northeast, Sadon , 1200 m, 28.VI–5.VII, Malaise trap (2♀ RMNH) . THAILAND: Chiang Mai, Rim Pa Huay Tong , 18.542 o N 98.954 o E, 250 m, 10–20.VIII.1997, Malaise trap in field at edge of mixed deciduous forest, S. Sonthichai (1♀ EMUS) ; Krabi, 14 km NNE Krabi, Phnom Bencha Mountain Resort, 8.208 o N 98.937 o E, 80 m, 2.IV.2017, MKT (5♀ CSCA) ; Loei, Phu Ruea National Park, Rong huay hin gao, 17 o 29.943'N 101 o 20.456'E, 1184 m, litter sample, 19–22.X.2006, N. Jarochenai, T627 (1♀ QSBG) ; Nakhon Ratchasima, Sakaerat , env[irons] res[earch] centre, 15.IX.2001, K. Eguchi (2♀ SKYC) ; Nakhon Si Thammarat, 4.4 km N Hin Tok, Mountainside rubber farm, 8.303 o N 99.849 o E, 7–8.IV.2017, MKT (5♀ CSCA) ; Phatthalung, 2.4 km S Ban Na, Farm , 7.543 o N 99.883 o E, 50 m, 10.IV.2017, MKT (1♀ CSCA) ; Phetchabun, Nam Nao National Park, Forest Checkpoint , 16 o 43.695'N 101 o 33.797'E, 921m, pan traps, 26–27.X.2006, N. Hongyothi, T1006 (1♀ QSBG) ; Phetchaburi, Kaeng Krachan, Baan Maka Nature Lodge , 12.840 o N 99.590 o E, 140 m: 16.V.2018, MKT (5♀ CSCA) ; 22–23.V.2018, MKT (10♀ CSCA) ; Sakon Nakhon, Phu Phan National Park, behing Huay Wien Prai Forest Unit, 17 o 0 6.847'N 104 o 0 0.302'E, 376 m, pan traps, 2–3.VIII.2006, V. Khongnara, T496 (1♀ QSBG) ; Songkhla, Hat Yai, Prince of Songkhla University , forest edge, 7.008 o N 100.508 o E, 40 m, 11–12.IV.2017, MKT (98♀ CSCA EMUS MIUP PSUC QSBG) ; Surat Thani, Khlong Sok: Khao Sok Jungle Huts , 8.909 o N 99.526 o E, 70 m: 14.V.2018, MKT (1♀ CSCA) ; 25–26.V.2018, MKT (12♀ CSCA) ; Our Jungle House resort, 8.908 o N 99.534 o E, 75 m, 25–27.V.2018, MKT (3♀ CSCA) ; Ubon Ratchathani, Pha Taem National Park , 15 o 31.985'N 105 o 35.774'E, 155 m, pan traps, 10–11.IX.2006, M. Sai-ngam, T886 (1♀ QSBG) .

Distribution. Laos *, Myanmar *, Thailand (Chiang Mai, Krabi, Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Sakhon Nakhon, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani).

Remarks. This species was described based on a single specimen from Chiang Mai; nearly 150 specimens have since been examined, allowing us to discuss intraspecific variation for this interesting species. The mesosoma varies from uniform reddish ( Figs 71, 72 ) to largely infuscated dorsally and posteriorly ( Fig. 73 ). The metasomal setal spots vary from bright golden ( Fig. 71 ) to pale whitish gray ( Fig. 72 ). The shape of the posterior T2 spot varies from a nearly equilateral triangle ( Fig. 72 ) to broadly obtuse triangle ( Fig. 73 ). There can be a medial setal spot on T3 ( Figs 72, 73 ) or T3 can lack such a medial spot ( Fig. 71 ). The body length varies from 3.5 to 7.5 mm.

Figures

FIGURES 1–28. Mutillidae, dorsal habitus of females. Scale bars represent actual specimen length.

FIGURES 68–76. Mutillinae: Smicromyrmini females II. 68–70. Ephucilla viet; 71–76. Physetopoda thai. 68, 71–73. Habitus, dorsal view; 69, 74, 75. Habitus, lateral view; 70, 76. Face view.