Dasymutilla munifica (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 : 73

Dasymutilla munifica (Smith)

Mutilla munifica Smith, 1879 . Descr. N. Spec. Hym. Br. Mus.:223. Holotype female, Mexico (No. 15.1055) [BMNH] (examined).

Diagnosis of Female (Plate C6O). This species can be distinguished by the following combination of characters. The antennal scrobe of this species is strongly carinate. The gena is distinctly carinate as well. The mesosoma appears to be longer than broad, but if it is measured at the broadest point, it is just as broad as long. A scutellar scale is absent. Sternum II is merely punctate, not at all scabrous. Tergum II has four distinct yellow maculae. The setae that cover the dorsum are contrasting gold and black. The apical fringe of tergum I is black.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Yucatan); Costa Rica (Guanacaste).

Remarks. This species is known only from the female. It does not key particularly well due to the mesosoma appearing to be longer than broad. For that reason, is placed in the key in two locations. Approximately a dozen specimens of this species have been examined.