Sphaeropthalma tetracuspis Schuster

Sphaeropthalma (Photopsis) tetracuspis Schuster, 1958 . Ent. Amer. (n. s.) 37: 31. Male. Holotype data: San Fernando, Lower California, Mexico, 31.Jul.1938, Michelbacher and Ross (CASC).

Diagnosis of male. It can be recognized by having mandibles that are weakly excised ventrally with an indistinct basal tooth and an apex that is tetradentate and oblique (Fig. 29) and is similar in shape to that of S. mendica (Fig. 55), the posterior margin of the head is quadrate, the mesosternal lacks processes, the second metasomal sternite has a distinct felt line, and the pygidium is granulate. The genitalia (Fig. 63) are similar to those of S. angulifera (Fig. 53) and S. mendica (Fig. 60).

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Riverside Co., Deep Canyon: 2 males, 13. May.1963, 1 male, 16. May.1963, 1 male, 24.May.1963, coll. M. Irwin.

Distribution. The western Sonoran Desert into Baja California, Mexico.

Remarks. This species is in the S. unicolor species-group along with S. angulifera, S. mendica, S. pinalea, S. subtriangularis and S. unicolor .

This species is similar to S. mendica and differences in their genitalia are difficult to distinguish, although the cuspis of S. tetracuspis seems to be longer. Besides the differences in the mandibles of these two species, the clypeus of S. tetracuspis is distinctive, the posterior portion pushed forward and the anterior portion shortened. Laterally the clypeus looks curved almost in a ‘C’ shape. The clypeus of the other members of this group is flat anteriorly and gently curved posteriorly.