Odontophotopsis ambigua Mickel

Odontophotopsis ambigua Mickel, from Clausen and Mickel, 1983. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 76: 539. Male. Holotype data: Palm Springs, California, Fall, 1932, T. Zschokke (UMSP).

Diagnosis of male. This species has a head that is rounded posteriorly, deeply excised mandibles that are not dilated apically (Fig. 41), a tubercle situated posteromedially on the clypeus, a pair of denticulate mesosternal processes, and a shiny glabrous pygidium. The genitalia are illustrated in Fig. 7.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co., Algodones Dunes: Gecko Rd. 3.2 km S. Cahuilla Ranger Sta., 1 male, 7.Jun.2008, R. Kimsey and T. Zavortink (UCDC); Wash Rd., 0.7 km W, Rail Road Post 168, 9 males, 18–22.Sep.2008, R. Kimsey and T. Zavortink (UCDC); Glamis, 3 mi. NW, 2 males, 15–16.Sep.1972, M.S. Wasbauer and A. Hardy (CDFA).

Distribution. Southern California and southwestern Arizona.

Remarks. This species can be easily confused with O. melicausa, but they differ in the shape of the mandible. The mandibles of O. ambigua are not dilated beyond the ventral excision as in O. melicausa . This species is rare, and is not endemic to the Algodones Sand Dunes.