Sphaeropthalma becki Ferguson

Sphaeropthalma (Micromutilla) becki Ferguson, 1967 . Brigham Young Univ. Sci. Bull. Biol. Ser. 8: 9. Male. Holotype data: Hillside, 0.85 mi NNW Mercury, Nye Co., Nevada, 23 Aug 1964, W.E. Ferguson (NMNH).

Diagnosis of male. This species has a deeply excised mandible with a tooth forming an oblique angle (Fig. 45), lacks of mesosternal processes, has a marginal cell that is shorter than the stigma, has the first segment of the metasoma petiolate with the second segment, and has the genitalia with a short cylindrical cuspis (Fig. 2). Plumose setae are weakly developed to absent along the margins of the metasomal tergites.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. California, Imperial Co.: Algodones Dunes: Cahuilla Ranger Station, 1 male, 11–15.Sep.2007, R. Kimsey, L. Kimsey, and T.J. Zavortink (UCDC); Niland-Glamis Rd., 7.4 km NW Glamis, 6 males, 3–30.May.2008, S. Heydon and K. Lorenzen (UCDC), 1 male, 1–2.Jul.2008, 23.7 km NW Glamis, 2 males, 1.Jun.2008, Museum Survey Team (UCDC); Wash Rd., 0.7 km W, Rail Road Post 168, 3 males, 18–22.Sep.2008, R. Kimsey and T. Zavortink (UCDC); Wash Rd., 4.1 km SE, Rail Road Post 165, 1 male, 18–22.Sep.2008, R. Kimsey and T. Zavortink (UCDC); Wash Rd. 6.6 km SE Hwy 78 Glamis, 2 males, 7–10.Jun.2008, R. Kimsey and T. Zavortink (UCDC). Brawley, 2 males, 22.Jun.2004, K.A. Williams (KAWC); Glamis, 3 mi. NW, 7 males, 15–16.Sep.1972, M.S. Wasbauer and A. Hardy (CDFA), 4 males, 10.Sep.1974, M.S. Wasbauer and R. McMaster (CDFA); Glamis, 7.5 km N, 13 males, 11–15.Sep.2007, R. Kimsey, L. Kimsey, and T.J. Zavortink (UCDC), 1 male, 22.Sep–15.Nov.2008, E. Dreyfus (UCDC); Glamis, 8 mi. W, 2 males, 21.Jun.2004, K.A. Williams (KAWC).

Distribution. California and southwestern Arizona northward into southern Nevada.

Remarks. This species is not endemic to the Algodones Sand Dunes. Ferguson (1967) gives a complete discussion of this species.