Sphaeropthalma parkeri Schuster, 1958

Wilson, Joseph S., 2017, Nocturnal Velvet Ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County, California with the description of three new species, Zootaxa 4319 (2), pp. 329-367 : 359

Sphaeropthalma parkeri Schuster, 1958

Sphaeropthalma (Photopsis) parkeri Schuster, 1958: 28 . ♂. Holotype data: Arizona, Ehrenberg ( UMSP).

Diagnosis of male. This species can be recognized by having mandibles that are vertical and are strongly excised ventrally with a distinct basal tooth and an apex that is tridentate and oblique (see Boehme et al. 2012: Fig. 20), the posterior margin of the head is rounded, the mesosternum lacks processes, the second metasomal sternum with a distinct tuft-like felt line, S2 with a anteromedial carinate tumid region, the pygidium is glabrous and the cuspis of the genitalia spatulate and lack plumose setae. Genitalia are illustrated in Boehme et al. (2012: Fig. 11 ).

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype data: Arizona, Ehrenberg , 27.Apr.1939, F.H. Parker ( UMSP) . USA: California: San Bernardino County: Joshua Tree National Park, Dale Mine , 2 ♂, 25.May.2012, F. & T. Cambon ( EMUS) .

Distribution. USA (Arizona, California, and Nevada).

Activity. This species is seemingly rare at JTNP.

Remarks. This species is a member of the S. orestes species-group ( Pitts & Sadler 2015) and has characteristic genitalia with the paramere spatulate with ventral setae. It is rare throughout its range ( Table 2 & 3).

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 12. Photomorphus schoenwerthi, sp. nov., 9. habitus; 10. head, frontal view; 11. mesosternum; and 12. pygidium.