Velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of the Algodones sand dunes of California, USA Author Pitts, James P. Author Wilson, Joseph S. Author Williams, Kevin A. Author Boehme, Nicole F. text Zootaxa 2009 2131 1 53 journal article 10.5281/zenodo.188392 4683115e-4971-4b8f-bb75-1a3f9b104521 1175-5326 188392 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.