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Type: Article
Published: 2015-04-15
Page range: 282–288
Abstract views: 22
PDF downloaded: 3

Description of a new species and species-group of Sphaeropthalma Blake Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) with an updated classification of the genus 

Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
Sphaeropthalminae solitary wasp velvet ant USA

Abstract

A study of Sphaeropthalma Blake from the southwestern USA has revealed a highly autapomorphic undescribed species. This species is described here as S. tapio Pitts & Sadler, sp. nov., and is placed in a new species-group, the S. tapio species-group. This species seems to be found only at higher altitudes in southern Arizona. It is compared to other similar Sphaeropthalma species-groups and is likely most closely related to members of the S. imperialis species-group. An updated species-group classification of Sphaeropthalma is provided.