Darditilla felina (Burmeister, 1854)

Luz, David R. & Williams, Kevin A., 2014, The first sexual associations in the genus Darditilla Casal, 1965 (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae), ZooKeys 454, pp. 41-68 : 52-58

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Mutillidae

Darditilla felina (Burmeister, 1854) Figs 7-8, 21-24

Mutilla felina Burmeister, 1854. Abh. naturf. Ges. Halle 2: 26. Holotype female, Brazil, Novo-Friburgo (MLUH, not examined).

Mutilla parasitica Smith, 1879: 213. Holotype female, Brazil, Constancia (NHM, examined), synonymized by Mickel (1964: 166).

Mutilla decorosa Kohl, 1882. Holotype female, Brasilia (NMW, examined through photographs). syn. n.

Mutilla decorosa Kohl: Nonveiller 1990: 113, ♀ (incertae sedis).

Diagnosis.

Male. The male of Darditilla felina is easily recognized by having a unique clypeus, with the ventral margin, often hyaline, raised broadly lamellate (Fig. 7D), and the penis valve, which is unidentade apically (Fig. 23).

Female. This female can be separated from all other southern and southeastern Brazillian Darditilla by the large, coalescing lateral orange spots of T2 (Fig. 8D), and the large coalescing lateral patches of silver to pale golden setae on the propodeum (Fig. 8A).

Description.

Male. Body length 5.8-9.4 mm. Coloration. Body and appendages black, except mandibles and metasoma dark brown apically and ventral margin of clypeus often hyaline. Tibial spurs white. Forewing slightly and uniformly infuscated between veins, veins brown; hindwing slightly infuscated. Body clothed with whitish setae, except dorsoposterior portion of pronotum, axilla, scutellum, disc of T2, T6 and T7 with scattered brownish setae, mesoscutum and tegula with dark brown setae, bristles of tergal fringes silver to pale yellowish. Head. Rounded posteriorly. Head width 1.2 × pronotal width. Eye transversely ovate. Ocelli small; ocellocular distance 7.1 × length of lateral ocellus, interocellar distance 2.6 × lateral ocellus length. Occipital carina distinct, extending ventrally almost to level of oral fossa. Punctation on front dense, interspaces micropunctate; gena densely punctate, interspaces with sparse micropunctures; and vertex moderately punctate, interspaces glabrous. Gena ecarinate. Antennal scrobe broadly concave to eye margin, lacking dorsal carina or tubercle. Clypeus densely punctate, with small median concavity and raised broadly bilobate lamellate ventral margin. Scape unicarinate ventrally. Flagellomere 1 1.3 × pedicel length; flagellomere 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mandible convergent to bidentate apex, dorsal carina gradually becoming obsolete near inner tooth; edentate ventrally. Mesosoma. Epaulets weakly produced. Pronotal dorsum densely punctate; anterior face obscurely punctate laterally and smooth medially; lateral face densely punctate. Tegula evenly convex, glabrous except with long recumbent setae anterolaterally and posteromesally. Mesoscutum with dense coarse punctures; posterolateral corner forming a small angulate lobe. Scutellum slightly convex, with coarse punctures. Axilla flat and punctate, except lateral margin with narrow vertical lamella. Metanotum surface obscured by dense shaggy mesally facing recumbent setae. Propodeum convex, broadly and deeply reticulate except smooth and shining adjacent to metapleuron. Mesopleuron moderately punctate, interspaces micropunctate. Metapleuron smooth and shining ventrally, setose and micropunctate dorsally. Wings. Forewing with moderate elongate sclerotized pterostigma; marginal cell broadly rounded; three submarginal cells, third scarcely delimited by obscure venation. Legs. Mid- and hind tibiae lacking strong spines, distinct apical secretory pore on inner surface near base of inner spur; spurs finely serrate on margins. Metasoma. T1gradually broadened from base, not constricted apically, sessile with T2, 0.5 × width of T2, sparsely coarsely punctate; apex with fringe of simple setae or thickened bristles. T2 with coarse to moderate punctures, interspaces smooth and generally broader than punctures; apex with fringe interspersed recumbent thickened parallel bristles; felt line 0.5 × lateral length of T2. T3-5 densely and finely punctate, covered with interspersed erect and recumbent setae, except fringes with row of bristles as in T2. T6 densely punctate, covered with less dense recumbent and erect setae. T7 in basal half with densely and coarsely punctures; posterior half forming oval pygidium margined laterally by a strong sharp carina, apical margin rounded, microgranulate with numerous large irregular rugae. S1 punctate and setose, with low medial longitudinal carina extending from base to apex. S2 moderately punctate. S3-6 moderately and finely punctate, with fairly sparse erect and recumbent setae. Lateral margins of S2-5 sometimes with similar bristles to those of T2-6. S7 transversely rectangular. Hypopygium coarsely punctate, posterior margin straight with small medial emargination. Genitalia (Figs 21-24). Paramere tapering apically, moderately curved ventrally on basal half, scattered setae along inner and lateral margins. Cuspis angulate apically, extending ~0.3 × free length of paramere, with densely setose oblique ventral surface. Digitus laterally compressed and rounded apically, extending ~0.2 × free length of paramere, asetose. Penis valve asetose, unidentate apically, basoventral margin with two minute teeth, basodorsal margin with slight tubercle.

Extended female diagnosis. Body length 5.7-11.9 mm. Coloration. Body entirely black, except T2 with large, coalescing lateral orange spots and S2 often orange basomedially. Appendages variable, ranging from entirely black to entirely orangish. Tibial spurs whitish. Head with sparse erect black setae. Mesosoma with sparse erect black setae, except propodeum with coalescing large lateral patch of silver to pale golden setae. Posterior fringes of T1 and T2 black; T2 setae black anteriorly and posteriorly, pale golden laterally, and reddish orange on orange integumental spots; T3-6 clothed with silver to golden setae. Head. Transverse, posterior margin flat, occipital carina obscure. Head width 1.5 × pronotal width. Eye slightly ovate transversely, ommatidia distinct. Front, vertex and gena densely punctate. Genal carina well-defined, terminating in sharp angle posterior to hypostomal carina. Clypeus with transverse glabrous concavity, margined by dorsal and ventral carinae, between widely separated lateral teeth. Mandible tapering to apex, with tooth in basal third and in apical third, unarmed ventrally. Antennal scrobe with complete dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle punctate basally and on anterior face, glabrous dorsally. Scape simple, moderately punctate. Flagellomere 1 2.0 × pedicel length; flagellomere 2 1.25 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.4 × width. Mesosomal dorsum densely reticulate, propodeal reticulae broader. Lateral pronotal carina extending to epaulet, humeral angle obtusely angulate. Mesopleuron densely punctate and setose, posterior margin defined by vertical carina. Metapleuron and lateral face of propodeum smooth and shining dorsally with isolated fine setae, micropunctate and densely setose ventrally. In dorsal view, mesosoma broadened to anterior third, strongly narrowed at propodeal spiracle, propodeum abruptly broadened. Scutellar scale lacking. Propodeum convex, dorsal and lateral faces not obviously differentiated. Legs. Foreleg with a few long strong articulated spines on posterior/lateral margins of tarsomeres. Mid- and hind tibiae each with one rows of prominent spines, 5 spines in each row; apical spurs finely serrated laterally. Hind tibia with distinct secretory pore on inner/posterior surface near base of inner spur. Metasoma. T1gradually broadened from base, not constricted apically, sessile with T2, 0.5 × as wide as T2; anterior face moderately punctate and setose. T2 densely punctate, punctures slightly larger and sparser anterolaterally on orange spots; felt line broad, 0.6 × as long as T2 laterally. T3-5 densely punctate. Pygidium broad and slightly convex, lateral margins defined by distinct weakly bowed carina, posterior margin rounded and defined by indistinct carina, granulate. S1 punctate, with obscure blackish median carina. S2 moderately punctate. S3-6 densely punctate.

Material examined.

Type material. Holotypes: Mutilla parasitica , 'CONSTANCIA\Jan 1857.\H. Clark’ ' Mutilla \ parasitica \ (Type) Sm’ (handwritten label) ‘Type’ (round, red-edged label) 'B.M. TYPE\HYM.\15.871' [1 female: NHM]; Mutilla decorosa , ‘Wthm.’ ‘6648’ ‘Brasilia\Macalú’ (handwritten label) ' decorosa Kohl\ Type’ (handwritten label) ' decorosa \Type. Kohl’ (handwritten label) 'HT decorosa ' (handwritten label) ' Pseudomethoca \ decorosa (Kohl)\det.R.Cambra 2012' (handwritten label) [1 female: NMW]. Other material. 143 males and 36 females as follows: BRAZIL: Mato Grosso do Sul: Aquidauana, malaise 09, 20°26'07"S, 55°39'33"W, 11-26.X.2011 (Lamas & Nihei) [2 males: MZSP]; Paraná: Capitão Leônidas Marques, Salto Caxias, 3-10.XI.2004 (E.D.G. Soares) [18 males: DZUP]; Fazenda do Jordão, Posto Florestal, Salto Segredo, 6-10.X.2004 (E.D.G. Soares) [5 males: DZUP]; same locality, 13-20.X.2004 (E.D.G. Soares) [3 males: DZUP]; Piraquara, Mananciais da Serra, 2.XII.2005 (L.C. Rocha-Filho) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 2.I.2006 (L.C. Rocha-Filho) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 30.XI.2005 (L.C. Rocha-Filho) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 10.I.2001 (G.A.R. Melo) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 27.I.2001 (G.A.R. Melo) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 9.III.2002 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 24.IV.2002 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 12.XII.2002 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 5.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 1.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 8.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 26.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 27.II.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 14.III.2003 (Garcia, E.Q.) [1 female: DZUP]; Ponta Grossa, Lageado, II.1957 (Justus) [1 female: DZUP]; Parque Estadual Vila Velha, 25.X.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 1.XI.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [11 males: DZUP]; same locality, 8.XI.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [7 males: DZUP]; same locality, 15.XI.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female, 6 males: DZUP]; same locality, 22.XI.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [10 males: DZUP]; same locality, 29.XI.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 6.XII.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 20.XII.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female, 1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 27.XII.1999 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 23.X.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [4 males: DZUP]; same locality, 30.X.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 6.XI.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 13.XI.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [4 males: DZUP]; same locality, 20.XI.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 27.XI.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [4 males: DZUP]; same locality, 4.XII.2000 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female, 3 males: DZUP]; same locality, 1.I.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 29.X.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 29.X.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [4 males: DZUP]; same locality, 5.XI.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 12.XI.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [6 males: DZUP]; same locality, 26.XI.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [11 males: DZUP]; same locality, 3.XII.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [2 males: DZUP]; same locality, 26.XI.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [2 females: DZUP]; same locality, 24.XII.2001 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 28.I.2002 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; same locality, 18.III.2002 (Ganho & Marinoni) [1 female: DZUP]; São José dos Pinhais, 17-27.XII.1984 (C.I.I.F.) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 22-29.X.1984 (C.I.I.F.) [1 male: DZUP]; same locality, 17-27.XII.1984 (C.I.I.F.) [1 male: DZUP]; Rio de Janeiro: Itatiala, 6 km NW de Itatiala, PN Itatiaia, 28.X.2011 (D.R. Luz) [1 female, 1 pair in copula: DZUP]; Novo Friburgo, I.2013 (P.C. Grossi) [1 male: DZUP]; Represa Rio Grande, 20.V.1967 (F.M. Oliveira) [1 female: DZUP]; Teresopolis, P.N. Serra das Orgãos, 22°26'S, 42°56'W, 31.X-5.XI.2004 (A.L.B.G. Peronti) [1 male: UFES]; Santa Catarina: Corupa, I.1954 (A. Maller) [1 female: MNRJ]; same locality, II.1954 (A. Maller) [2 females: MNRJ]; São Paulo: Americo Brasiliense Clube Nautico, Cerrado, 25-29.IX.1999 (M.T. Tavares) [1 male: UFES]; Cajuru, Fazenda Santa Carlota, 17. XI– 2.XII.1999 (G.A.R. Melo & Nascimento) [2 males: DZUP]; Campos do Jordão, XI.1957 (K. Lenko) [1 female: DZUP]; Eug. Lefevre, 1.XI.1937 (Travassos, Lopes e Oiticica) [1 female: MNRJ]; Riberão Grande, P.E. Intervales: ponto 2, 24°16'29"S, 48°25'17"W, 22.XII.2009 (N.W. Perioto) [3 males: MZSP]; same locality, ponto 3, 24°16'28"S, 48°25'19"W, 23.XI.2009 (N.W. Perioto) [6 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.I.2010 (N.W. Perioto) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, 22.XI.2010 (N.W. Perioto) [2 males: MZSP]; same locality, ponto 4, 24°16'29"S, 48°25'21"W, 20.XII.2010 (N.W. Perioto) [2 males: MZSP]; PARAGUAY: San Pedro: Rio Ypane, Cororo, XII.1983 (M.A. Fritz) [1 male: AMNH]; same locality, 24-27.XI.1983 (M. Wasbauer) [1 male: EMUS].

Distribution.

This species is distributed throughout the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil and Paraguay.

Host.

Unknown.

Remarks.

The sexes of Darditilla felina were associated based on collection of a mating pair in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia in Rio de Janeiro state. DRL discovered the male and female together, already in copula, on leaf litter in a trail through the forest. The male that Burmeister (1854) originally associated with Darditilla felina was recognized as Ephuta inaurata (Smith, 1855) by Mickel (1964).

Both sexes of Darditilla felina have been examined from throughout the Atlantic Rainforest. The subspecies, Darditilla felina agatas Casal, 1968 differs from typical females of Darditilla felina in setal coloration and is known from two specimes from the Chaco region of Bolivia. It is unclear whether this is a valid species, valid subspecies, or a synonym of Darditilla felina without study of further specimens.

Females that key ( Casal 1968a) to Darditilla felina have been examined from Rondônia. Although these females match Darditilla felina in coloration, their genal carina is different. Darditilla felina has the genal carina extending from the posterior head margin to below the eye, where it terminates at an angle; this putative new species has the genal carina extending nearly to the hypostomal carina where it gradually terminates. We refrain from describing the species at this time because the focus of this manuscript is southern and southeastern Brazillian Darditilla and the male is yet unknown.

Females show extensive variation in coloration of the legs. Many specimens have the legs entirely orange, while other specimens, including the female from the mating pair, have the legs partially darkened or entirely black. In an unpublished key to female Pseudomethoca types, Mickel separated Darditilla felina from Mutilla decorosa (Kohl, 1882) on the basis of leg color. Photographs of the type of Mutilla decorosa were provided by Dominique Zimmermann (NMW) and it is a perfect match for the orange-legged form of Darditilla felina . As such, we place Mutilla decorosa as a junior synonym of Darditilla felina .