Dasymutilla pulchra ( Smith, 1855 )

Cambra, Roberto A., Williams, Kevin A., Quintero, Diomedes, Windsor, Donald M., Pickering, John & Saavedra, Daisy, 2018, Dasymutilla Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae) in Panama: new species, sex associations and seasonal flight activity, Insecta Mundi 608, pp. 1-17 : 9-10

Dasymutilla pulchra ( Smith, 1855)

( Fig. 11–13 , 27 )

Mutilla pulchra Smith 1855: 62 , holotype female, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, No.15.443 BMNH.

Mutilla nortoni Blake 1870: 68 , holotype female, Mexico, ANSP. Mickel (1964): Synonymy.

Mutilla ducalis Smith 1879: 224 , holotype female, Mexico, Orizaba, BMNH. Mickel (1964): synonymy. Sphaerophthalma [sic] chiron Cameron, 1897: 378 , holotype female, Mexico, Venta de Zopilote, BMNH. Mickel (1964): synonymy.

Dasymutilla pulchra: Mickel (1964) transfered to Dasymutilla . Cambra and Quintero (1992): 464, 471, male figure, material examined; Manley and Pitts (2007): 82 , male description.

Diagnosis. FEMALE. This is the only mainland Dasymutilla species that has a scutellar scale and a lateral mesonotal tubercle. The following diagnostic characters are also useful: the antennal scrobe has a distinct dorsal carina; the gena is carinate; the posterolateral margin of the head is unarmed; the mesosoma has a transverse arcuate band of pale silver to golden setae; and T2 is marked with four yellow to orange patches that are often coalescent. MALE. This is the only male Dasymutilla species to have the mesopleuron armed with a distinct tooth or tubercle. The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: the antennal scrobe has a dorsal carina; the axilla has a posterior truncate face; S2 has an ovate anteriorly situated seta-filled pit; and T2 has a large coalescent yellow integumental patch.

Distribution. Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. First record for Nicaragua.

Material examined ( MIUP except where noted). PANAMA, Veraguas Province: Santa Fe , 26.iii. 1999, A. Santos, 1f ; Bahía Honda , 7–17.xii.2001, R. Cambra, 2m (1f, CDFA) ; 28.v–2.vi.2002 (1m, CDFA) . Panamá Province: Cerro Azul, Residencial Las Nubes , 15.x.1999, R. Cambra, 1f ; 24.v. 2009, 1m . Coclé Province: Valle de Antón , 13.vii.1991, J. Coronado, 2m ; La Pintada, 16–19.i.2002, P. González, 1f. COSTA RICA ( INBio): Alajuela Province: San Cristobal, 600–620m, 5–25.i.1998, F. Quesada, 2f. Guanacaste Province: Tierras Morenas, Tilarán , 685m, ix.1994, G. Rodríguez, 1f ; Est. Los Almendros , 300m, 4–20.xi.1994, E. López, 1f ; vi.1995, E. Araya, 2f ; Est. Las Pailas , 800 m, P.N. Rincon de la Vieja, 6.i–13.iv.1993, J. Sihezar, 1f ; 24.x–12.xi.1992, D. García, 2f; 22.xi–29.xii.1992, J. Sihezar, 1f; 19.vi–1. vii.1993, K. Taylor, 1f; 30.xi–12.xii.1999, R. Gonzalez, 1f ; Fca. Yafa , 320 m, 8–26.i.1993, E. Lopez, 1F ; Est. Pitilla , 700 m, 9 km S Sta. Cecilia, iii.1990, P. Rios, 3f ; xi.1989, P. Rios, 1m; 2.iii–21.iv.1989, 1f; 22.x–8.xi.1992, P. Rios, 1f; 27.ii–2.iii.1989, R. Miranda, 3f; ii.1990, 1f; x.1989, C. Moraga, 1f ; Fca. Pasmompa, Est. Pitilla , 400 m, 5 km SO Sta. Cecilia, iii.1989, 2f ; Est. Maritza , 600 m, ladera O. del volcan Orosi ; viii.1990, 1f; 27.ii–10.iii.1992, M. Reyes, 1f; ii.1992, P. Campos, 1f; 1.vi–30.vii. 1992, 2m; 28.ii–10. iii.1992, D. García, 1f ; Fca. Jenny , 30 km N de Liberia, v.1991, E. Araya, 1f ; 16.x–10.xi.1991, 1f; 8–12. xii.1993, E. Araya, 1f ; sector El Hacha, P.N. Guanacaste, xi–xii.1991, E. Lopez, 1f ; cerro El Hacha , 300 m, 12 km SE de La Cruz, ix.1991, E. Lopez, 1f ; cerro El Hacha , 400m, ii.1988, J. Bustamante, 1f ; Los Almendros, P.N. Guanacaste, 23.x–13.xi.1992, E. Lopez, 1f ; 11–30.vi.1993, E. Lopez, 2f ; P.N. Sta. Rosa, vi. 1986, 300 m, D. Enezen, 1f ; vi.1985, D. Enezen, 1f . Puntarenas Province: Est. La Casona, Res. Biol. Monteverde , 1520 m, vii.1993, N. Obando, 1f. NICARAGUA: Managua District, Laguna de Xiloa , 4.i.1994, 1f ; Granada, volcan Mombacho , 30.iv.1998, J. Maes, 1m ; 15.v. 1998, 2m; 2.vi. 1998, 1m ; Masaya, volcan Masaya, 27.xi.1991, v. den Berghe, 1f. GUATEMALA: Tikal , Petén, 15.viii.1974, D. Engleman, 1f ; Baja Verapaz, J. Schuster, 1f ; Escuintla, vi.1980, A. Valle, 1f ; Dpto. Santa Rosa, 3.x.1982, M. Agüero, 1f. MEXICO: Jalisco, Chamela , 2.ix.1989, D. Curoe, 1f ; Est. Biol. Chamela , 8– 10.xii., F. Hovore, 1m ; Sayula, Isla Grande , 1366 m, 13.xi.1994, L. Miranda, 1f ; Oaxaca, 4.4 miles W. of Mitla , 18.vi.1992, W. Johnson, 1f.

Remarks. This species is widespread in Mexico and Central America. The male was initially recognized by Quintero and Cambra (1992) and described by Manley and Pitts (2007).

Figures

Figures 2–16. Dasymutilla species, habitus photographs.

Figures 23–28. Dasymutilla, right forewing. 23) D. araneoides. 24) D. colorado, sp. nov. 25) D. paradoxa. 26) D. phya. 27) D. pulchra. 28) D. spilota.