Bischoffitilla selangorensis (Pagden, 1934)

Thaochan, Narit, Williams, Kevin A., Thoawan, Kodeeyah, Jeenthong, Tadsanai & Sittichaya, Wisut, 2022, Three new species and one new country record of velvet ants (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae) from Thailand, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 93, pp. 151-165 : 151

Bischoffitilla selangorensis (Pagden, 1934)

Fig. 2

Squamuloltilla selangorensis Pagden, 1934: 452.

Bischoffitilla selangorensis (Padgen). Comb.n. Lelej, 2002: 127.

Material examined.

Holotype: ♀, Malaysia, Selangor, Bukit Kutu , 31.I.1930 (BMNH).

Other material.

New to Thailand, Lampang Province, Ngao District , Tham Pha Thai NP., 20. XII.2001, S. Hasin leg., (1♀, THNHM) ; Loei Province, Phu Ruea District, Waranya Resort 17.460 -101.355, 25-26.III.2019, K. Williams, S. Puttasok, K. Thoawan, R. Malee and N. Thaochan leg., (4♀ CSCA); 19.I.1999, W. Jaitrong leg. (1♀ THNHM) ; Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Wang Nam Khiao District , 09.V.2001, W. Jaitrong and T. Jeentong leg. (1♀, THNHM) .

Diagnosis.

Female. This species can be separated from other Thai species by having the posterior propodeal surface with uniformly dense small punctures. The following combination of characters are also useful for diagnosis: genal carina short with weak anterior tooth; mesopleural lamella longer than flagellar width, apically rounded; lateral margins of mesosomal dorsum margined with wavy multidentate carina; dorsoposterior propodeal row with median tooth distinct, larger than lateral teeth; T3-5 with brown or black appressed setae and interspersed sparse erect blackish and white to yellowish setae. Body length 5.0-6.2 mm.

Male. Unknown.

Variation.

The head and metasoma cuticle colors vary from reddish-brown to black. The appressed metasomal setae vary from brown to black. The cuticle beneath the whitish setal markings of T1 and T2 vary from mostly brown or black to entirely bright whitish-yellow. The size and number of apparent teeth along the dorso-lateral pronotal and mesonotal margins vary. The height of the spines on the dorsoposterior propodeal row varies and the number of spines varies from three to five on each side. The leg color varies from entirely pale orange-brown to mostly dark brown.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution.

Malaysia (Selangor); Thailand (Loei, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima).

Remarks.

This species is newly recorded from Thailand. In the key to Thai females from Williams et al. (2019), B. selangorensis terminates at couplet 4. It can be differentiated from B. lamellata and the other species by having T3 without a distinct band or mesal patch of whitish setae; rather, T3 has sparse interspersed blackish and pale yellow or whitish setae. Unlike the other Thai species, the posterior propodeal surface has uniformly dense small punctures; the other Thai species have the posterior propodeal surface widely areolate, becoming smooth ventrally.

Figures

Figure 2. Bischoffitilla selangorensis, ♀, Thailand A dorsal view B mesosoma dorsum C pygidium D lateral view E metasomal terga F vertex G frons and clypeus.