Odontophotopsis melicausa (Blake)

Agama melicausa Blake, 1871 . Amer. Ent. Soc., Trans. 3: 261. Male. Holotype data: Texas, Belfrage (ANSP). Mutilla brevicornis Fox, 1899 . Amer. Ent. Soc., Trans. 25: 255. Male. Holotype data: Texas (ANSP). Odontophotopsis mellicornis Baker, 1905 . Invertebrata Pacifica 1: 96. Male. Holotype data: Ormsby Co., Nevada

(CUIC).

Diagnosis of male. This species has a head that is quadrate posteriorly, deeply excised mandibles that are distinctly dilated towards the vertical apex (Fig. 11; see Fig. 44 in Pitts et al. 2009)), lacks a tubercle situated posteromedially on the clypeus, has a pair of denticulate mesosternal processes, and has a shiny glabrous pygidium. The genitalia are illustrated in Fig. 13 of Pitts et al. (2009).

Diagnosis of female. A diagnosis of this female is provided in Pitts et al. (2007).

Material examined. California, Riverside Co., Deep Canyon: 1 male, 1–4. Jun.1970, 1 male, 28.Jul– 17. Aug.1973, 1 male, 17–30. Jul.1973, 1 male, 9. Oct.1963, 2 males, 25.Oct.1969.

Distribution. Central and Western USA into northern Mexico.

Remarks. This species ranges throughout the Great Plains and the western USA. It usually makes up a major portion of the fauna, but seems to be rare at Deep Canyon, although this could be a function of timing of collections given that in southern Nevada it is more prevalent later in the summer and fall.