Taxonomic notes on Pertyella Mickel, 1952 (Hymenoptera; Mutillidae): Morphological characters rediscussion, new species, new combinations, new records, and species grouping / Notas taxonómicas sobre Pertyella Mickel, 1952 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae): rediscusión de caracteres morfológicos, especie nueva, combinaciones nuevas, registros nuevos y agrupaciones de especies

Abstract The species formerly included in the Pertyella camposseabrai species-group are reviewed. The following two species are transferred from the genus Mutilla to Pertyella: P. angulosa (Burmeister, 1854) new combination, and P. carinigena (Cresson, 1902) new combination. The following new synonymies are proposed: P. mayri (Kohl, 1882); P. paulista Casal, 1964; P. viuva Casal, 1964; P. itinga Casal, 1964; P. camposseabrai Casal, 1964; P. uzai Fritz, 1990 and P. diasi Fritz, 1990 are jr. synonyms of P. angulosa; P. lenti Casal, 1964 is a jr. synonym of P. carinigena; P. aguaz Fritz, 1990 is a jr. synonym of P. cordoi Fritz, 1990. A new species in this group, Pertyella quirosae sp. nov., is described. Most characters that were formerly used to define this species-group are not consistent or exclusive to the group. Because the diagnostic features and component species in this species-group were changed, and because an older name is now available, this group of species is now called the P. angulosa species-group. Females of this group can be recognized by having the mesosoma with lateral stripes of dense silvery or whitish setae. A key to the species of the P. angulosa species-group and new distribution records are provided.

Resumen Se revisan las especies anteriormente incluidas en el grupo de especies de Pertyella camposseabrai. Las siguientes dos especies se transfieren del género Mutilla a Pertyella: P. angulosa (Burmeister, 1854) combinación nueva y P. carinigena (Cresson, 1902) combinación nueva. Se proponen las siguientes sinonimias nuevas: P. mayri (Kohl, 1882); P. paulista Casal, 1964; P. viuva Casal, 1964; P. itinga Casal, 1964; P. camposseabrai Casal, 1964; P. uzai Fritz, 1990 y P. diasi Fritz, 1990 son jr. sinónimos de P. angulosa; P. lenti Casal, 1964 es un jr. sinónimo de P. carinigena; P. aguaz Fritz, 1990 es un jr. sinónimo de P. cordoi Fritz, 1990. Se describe una especie nueva en este grupo, Pertyella quirosae sp. nov.. La mayoría de los caracteres que se usaban anteriormente para definir este grupo de especies no son consistentes o exclusivos del grupo. En virtud de que se cambiaron las características de diagnóstico y las especies componentes de este grupo de especies, y debido a que en este momento se dispone de un nombre más antiguo, ahora se denomina especies del grupo P. angulosa. Las hembras de este grupo pueden ser reconocidas por tener el mesosoma con franjas laterales de densas setas plateadas o blanquecinas. Se proporciona una clave para las especies del grupo P. angulosa y nuevos registros de distribución.

Revision of the Traumatomutilla indica species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae).

The Traumatomutilla indica species-group is reviewed, leaving it with 13 species known from both sexes, four known from females only and two known from males only. The following 28 junior synonyms are proposed: Traumatomutilla aemulata (Cresson, 1902) [=Mutilla caneta Cresson, 1902, syn. nov.]; T. centralis (Burmeister, 1875) [=T. fissiventris Andr, 1907, syn. nov.; =T. centralis boliviana Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T. contempta Andr, 1908a [=T. alhuampa Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T. geographica (Gerstaecker, 1874) [=T. seabrai Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T grossa (Gerstaecker, 1874) [=Mutilla abrupta Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =M. characterea Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.]; T. guayaca Casal, 1969 [=T. tayguaya Casal, 1969 syn. nov.]; T. indica (Linnaeus, 1758) [=M. sphegea Fabricius, 1804, syn. nov.]; T. parallela (Klug, 1821) [=M. almada Cresson, 1902, syn. nov.; =Ephuta lineifera Andr, 1903, syn. nov.; =T. indicoides Mickel, 1952, syn. nov.; =T. gausapata Mickel, 1952, syn. nov.; =T. pillinata Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T. puella (Gerstaecker, 1874) [=M. musculus Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =M. manca Cresson, 1902 syn. nov.; =M. viana Cresson, 1902, syn. nov.; =T. peperina Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T. spectabilis (Gerstaecker, 1874) [=M. funesta Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =M. melaleuca Gerstaecker, 1874 syn. nov.; =T. spectabilis chingona Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]; T. tristis (Klug, 1821) [=M. foveiventris Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =M. caxara Cresson, 1902, syn. nov.]; T. unimarginata (Cresson, 1902) [=M. cuiba Cresson, 1902, syn. nov.]; T. vidua (Klug, 1821) [=M. graphica Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =M. scripta Gerstaecker, 1874, syn. nov.; =T. cachimba Casal, 1969, syn. nov.; =T. scripta borrosa Casal, 1969, syn. nov.]. The hitherto unknown males of T. guayaca Casal, 1969, T. ingens (Andr, 1903), and female of T. selligera (Gerstaecker, 1874) are described. A new combination is proposed for Traumatomutilla impetuosa (Smih, 1879), comb. nov. from Mutilla. All species treated are redescribed and illustrated. Identification keys for males and females are also provided.

Two New Species of Horcomutilla Casal, 1962 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Description of Hitherto Unknown Males, and an Illustrated Key to All Known Species in the Genus.

Most holotype specimens of Horcomutilla and other non-type materials deposited in museums of the Americas and Europe were examined resulting in the recognition of 13 valid species in Horcomutilla occurring from Panama to southern Argentina. Six species are known from both sexes, six only from females and one only from the male. The new species Horcomutilla bernali Cambra & Williams, sp. nov., female and male, and Horcomutilla igriega Cambra & Williams, sp. nov., male, are described. The previously unknown males of H. denticeps (Spinola Spinola, Famille Mutillaires Latr Mem Acad Sci Turin 13:62-63, 1853) and H. piala Casal Casal, Physis 30:171-172, 1970, are recognized and described. Horcomutilla suis Casal Casal, Notas Mus La Plata, Zool 20:63-75, 1962 is recognized as a junior synonym of Horcomutilla denticeps (Spinola, Spinola, Famille Mutillaires Latr Mem Acad Sci Turin 13:62-63, 1853). Horcomutilla projectifrons (Cresson, Cresson, Trans Amer Ent Soc 28:1-82, 1902) is recognized as a junior synonym of Horcomutilla fronticornis (Burmeister, Burmeister, Abhandl Naturf Ges Halle 2:19-29, 1854). Horcomutilla toba Casal, Casal, Notas Mus La Plata, Zool 20:63-75, 1962 is recognized as a junior synonym of H. glabriceps (André, André, Anales Mus Nac Buenos Aires 3:169-214, 1908). The genus Horcomutilla is reported for the first time from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Trinidad. An updated key for species of the genus is presented and diagnostic morphological characters to separate all species are illustrated.

Seasonal and annual abundance of Ephuta wasp (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Panama / Abundancia estacional y anual de la avispa Ephuta (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) en Panamá

Introduction: Ephuta Say is a widespread New World genus of mutillid wasp whose ecology is poorly understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how Ephuta species abundance varies annually and seasonally driven by weather conditions and hosts. Methods: Ephuta specimens, located in the "old forest" at Barro Colorado Island, were examined from weekly samples (2001-2006) of ten Malaise traps. The monthly abundance of each Ephuta species was compared with monthly average humidity, solar radiation, temperature and rainfall. Results: Nine species and ten morphospecies were identified. Most specimens were collected from March to June. April was the month reported with the greatest abundance. Of the four abiotic variables measured, only average monthly temperature was correlated with Ephuta abundance. Months with the highest number of Ephuta specimens were correlated with suspected host abundance, as indicated by the monthly abundance of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) captured during the year 2007. Conclusions: We concluded that Ephuta display strong seasonal variation in abundance, with the peaks occurring during the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, which correlate broadly with temperature and the abundance of their pompilid hosts.

Introducción: Ephuta es un género de avispas mutílidas ampliamente distribuido en el Nuevo Mundo y cuya ecología es poco conocida. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar cómo varía la abundancia de especies de Ephuta anualmente y estacionalmente debido a las condiciones climáticas y sus hospederos. Métodos: Se examinaron especímenes de Ephuta tomados de muestras semanales (2001-2006) de diez trampas Malaise, ubicadas en el "bosque viejo" de Isla Barro Colorado. La abundancia mensual de cada especie de Ephuta se comparó con el promedio mensual de la humedad, la radiación solar, la temperatura y las precipitaciones. Resultados: Se identificaron nueve especies y diez morfoespecies. La mayoría de los especímenes fueron recolectados de marzo a junio. La mayor abundancia mensual promedio se dio en abril. De las cuatro variables abióticas medidas, solo la temperatura mensual promedio se correlacionó con la abundancia de Ephuta. Los meses con el mayor número de especímenes de Ephuta se correlacionan con la sospechosa abundancia del huésped, como lo indica la abundancia mensual de Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) capturada durante el 2007. Conclusiones: Ephuta muestra una fuerte variación estacional en la abundancia, con picos durante el final de la estación seca y el comienzo de la temporada de lluvias. Esta se correlaciona ampliamente con la temperatura y la abundancia de sus huéspedes pompílidos.

Revision of the Traumatomutilla americana species group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae).

Traumatomutilla is a diverse genus of Neotropical velvet ants (Mutillidae). Here we revise the T. americana species group, recognizing three species. Mutilla dubia Fabricius, 1804, M. simulans Smith, 1855, M. albata Smith, 1879, and M. obsoleta (Klug, 1821) are proposed as junior synonyms of Traumatomutilla americana (Linnaeus, 1758). Traumatomutilla maula Casal, 1969, Ephuta punctosignata André, 1906, Mutilla latevittata Cresson, 1902, and M. oculifera Smith, 1855 are proposed as junior synonyms of Traumatomutilla quadrum (Klug, 1821). Mutilla acara Cresson, 1902, M. polita Smith, 1855, M. gemina Gerstaecker, 1874, M. trinacria Gerstaecker, 1874, M. lasiogastra Burmeister, 1875, and M. cuyana Burmeister, 1875 are proposed as junior synonyms of Traumatomutilla ocellaris (Klug, 1821). Traumatomutilla bellifera (Gerstaecker, 1874) is transferred to the T. trochanterata species-group; T. lunigera (Gerstaecker, 1874) and T. compar (André, 1898) are transferred to the T. inermis species-group. Both sexes are redescribed for all species. Notes on the biology and host association for T. ocellaris are provided. Finally, identification keys to the species and color forms of the T. americana group are provided.

Does the genus Dasymutilla Ashmead occur in South America? The new genus Quwitilla, new combinations, and new distribution records from Neotropical velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae).

Nine species of the genus Dasymutilla Ashmead have been recorded from South America. One additional species, D. campogrande Manley Pitts was erroneously recorded from Mexico but is from Brazil, and another species, D. colorado Cambra, Williams Quintero was recently discovered in Colombia. Four of these nine Dasymutilla belong to a new genus, Quwitilla Williams, Bartholomay Cambra, gen. nov., which includes: Q. peruviana (Suárez), comb. nov. (and its newly recognized female D. homochroma Suárez, syn. nov.; Q. bellatrix (Manley Pitts), comb. nov. (based on female only); and Q. blattoserica (Kohl) comb. nov. (type species, already known from both sexes). Two others are actually synonyms of previously recognized Traumatomutilla André species: Dasymutilla brazilia Manley Pitts, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of T. oculifera (Smith), and D. campogrande, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of T. inermis (Klug). One species is transferred out of Dasymutilla: Xystromutilla aequatorialis (André), comb. nov. Finally, updates and comments are provided on the distribution of D. araneoides (Smith), D. colorado, D. paradoxa (Gerstaecker), and D. pulchra (Smith), the only four South American species remaining in the genus Dasymutilla.

New species of Traumatomutilla André in the T. tabapua and T. integella species-groups (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae).

Five new species of Traumatomutilla André from Brazil are described: T. fratres Bartholomay Williams sp. nov., T. anhanga Bartholomay Williams sp. nov., T. barathra Bartholomay Williams sp. nov., T. poranga Bartholomay Williams sp. nov. and T. pantherina Bartholomay Williams sp. nov. Traumatomutilla tabapua Casal, 1969, T. luscoides André, 1908 and T. integella (Cresson, 1902) are redescribed. T. verecunda (Cresson, 1902) is proposed as junior synonym of T. integella based on morphological evidence. T. luscoides is transferred from the T. integella to the T. tabapua species-group.

The mutillid wasps of the Dasymutilla paradoxa species-group (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae).

The Dasymutilla paradoxa species-group is newly proposed to include taxa formerly included in the genera Dasymutilla Ashmead, 1899, Traumatomutilla André, 1901 and some previously incertae sedis. This species-group now includes the following eight species: D. fasciventris Mickel, D. guanacaste Manley & Pitts, D. naranjo Manley & Pitts, D. paradoxa (Gerstaecker), comb. nov., D. paraparadoxa, sp. nov., D. phya (Cameron), comb. nov., D. relata (Cameron), and D. sliepniri Manley & Pitts. Dasymutilla paraparadoxa Luz, Bartholomay & Williams, sp. nov. (Mexico, Guatemala) is described and illustrated. New synonymy is proposed (valid names are first) for: Dasymutilla fasciventris Mickel, 1938 (=Dasymutilla citromaculosa Manley & Pitts, 2007, syn. nov., =Dasymutilla chamela Manley & Pitts, 2007, syn. nov.); Mutilla paradoxa Gerstaecker, 1874 (=Sphaerophthamla [sic!] icaris Cameron, 1895, syn. nov.); Sphaerophthalma [sic!] phya Cameron, 1895 (=Sphaerophthalma [sic!] melissa Cameron, 1895, syn. nov.). The key to species is given.

The first sexual associations in the genus Darditilla Casal, 1965 (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae).

New sex associations are proposed for four species of Darditilla: Darditillaamabilis (Gerstaecker, 1874); Darditillabejaranoi Casal, 1968; Darditilladebilis (Gerstaecker, 1874); and Darditillafelina (Burmeister, 1854). Darditillabotija Casal, 1965, syn. n. is the male of Darditillaamabilis; the other three males were previously unknown. Mutilladecorosa Kohl, 1882, syn. n. is conspecific with Darditillafelina. Descriptions and extended diagnoses are provided for previously unknown males and for females that were not adequately described. These represent the first sex associations for the genus Darditilla.