taxonID	type	description	language	source
97295B707629FFD7FF13FAB6E6E0A65B.taxon	description	(Figs 2 – 80, 284)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707629FFD7FF13FAB6E6E0A65B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible without ventral tooth basally; mesonotum with simple and brachyplumose setae only; T 1 shape narrowly sub-sessile; T 2 with coarse areolation, at least basally; and T 6 convex without defined pygidial plate. Usually, the T 2 disc has basolateral patches of reddish-brown or blackish setae. MALE. Males can be immediately recognized by the mesosternal armature, which consists of a large posteriorly directed conical peg. The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: mandible with ventral tooth indistinct or absent; mid-tibia swollen and often with only one spur; and hypopygium wider than long with truncate or weakly convex posterior margin. Included species. Six species known from both sexes (Aca. bequaertii Schuster, 1958; Aca. dorophora Schuster, 1958; Aca. evansii Schuster, 1958; Aca. falciformis Schuster, 1958; Aca. virguncula (Blake, 1886); and Aca. snellingi Tanner & Pitts, 2009).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707629FFD7FF13FAB6E6E0A65B.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This genus is widespread and more species-rich than most others treated here but is surprisingly uncommon in collections. In the last seven years, KAW has collected over 1000 males of Acrophotopsis dirce (Fox, 1899), but only 12 Acanthophotopsis specimens, representing three species (KAW, pers. obs.). In recent studies, nearly 15,000 nocturnal females have been examined from more than 25 museums by KAW and JPP; only 19 female specimens of Acanthophotopsis are known (KAW & JPP, pers. obs.).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD4FF13FF59E210A480.taxon	description	(Figs 2, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33, 39 – 41, 57 – 60)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD4FF13FF59E210A480.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its coloration: the head and mesosoma are orange-brown, the metasoma is blackish with dense whitish setae, except for a baso-lateral patch of blackish setae (Figs 2, 14). The T 2 disc is slightly longer than wide, has appressed or decumbent whitish setae in the posterior third (Fig. 2), and is coarsely areolate basally and moderately to sparsely punctate in the posterior half. Body length 7 – 9 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible tridentate without inward-facing blunt tooth (Fig. 40), apically oblique with the dorsal carina terminating near mid-length (Fig. 41); clypeus armed basally with mesal tubercle and longitudinal carina (Fig. 39); vertex elongate with lateral margins parallel directly behind eyes (Fig. 27); metasoma blackish, contrasting with reddish-orange head and mesosoma (Figs 20, 27); and free paramere length wide throughout it length until extreme apex (Fig. 57). Body length 8 – 11 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD4FF13FF59E210A480.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. USA, Arizona, Cochise Co., Portal, 4700 ’, 28. VII. 1964, J. H. Puckle, M. A. Mortenson, and M. A. Cazier (1 ♂, UAIC); San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, 6 – 7. VIII. 2021, E. E. and K. A. Williams (3 ♂, CSCA EMUS); Pima Co., Colossal Cave, 25. VIII. 1970, R. E. Woodruff (1 ♂, FSCA); Santa Cruz Co., 2 mi S Canelo Pass, 26. VII. 2006, P. H. Sullivan (1 ♀, CSCA); MEXICO, Chihuahua: 3 mi E Parral, 5800 ’, 30. IV. 1953, Creighton (1 ♀ holotype, CNCI); 21 mi S Parral, 5600 ’, 30. IV. 1953, Creighton (1 ♀ paratype, CNCI); Durango, Nombre de Dios, 6. VIII. 1951 (1 ♂ MIUP). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD4FF13FF59E210A480.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Chihuahua and Durango; USA: Arizona.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD4FF13FF59E210A480.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The female of this species, formerly Stethophotopsis cremauranti Pitts & Manley 2002, syn. nov., was initially placed in that genus based on multiple structural similarities and the bright apparently diurnal coloration (Pitts & Manley 2002). After the sex associations of Acanthophotopsis falciformis and A. dorophora, however, the following characters are recognized to define females of Acanthophotopsis: mandible without large ventral tooth basally; T 1 shape narrowly subsessile; metasoma with more or less unicolorous cuticle with areas of darkened setae basally; and pygidium convex, without defined plate. Most of these features are shared by the monotypic genus Stethophotopsis Pitts in Pitts & McHugh, 2000. The genera are clearly closely related and metasomal coloration seems to be the only reliable way to differentiate the females. Stethophotopsis have the metasoma bright orange with black cuticular patches basally, while Acanthophotopsis have the metasomal cuticle more or less uniformly brown or blackish with the darkened basal patches formed by setae. The sex association for Aca. bequaertii is based on overlapping distribution (high elevations in Arizona, USA and Chihuahua, Mexico) and similar coloration (head and mesosoma bright reddish-orange and metasoma black with silvery setae).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	description	(Figs 3, 9, 15, 21, 28, 34, 42 – 44, 61 – 64)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its coloration: the body cuticle is uniformly orange brown, with blackish-brown setae restricted to the basal patches of T 2 (Figs 3, 15). T 2 is longer than wide and coarsely areolate basally with separated to sparse punctures in the posterior half. Body length 8 – 10 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible tridentate without inward-facing blunt tooth (Fig. 43), apically vertical with the dorsal carina continuous to the inner apical tooth (Fig. 44); clypeus unarmed basally, forming horizontal plate (Fig. 43); vertex elongate with lateral margins parallel directly behind eyes; T 1 – 2 mostly reddish-brown, concolorous with mesosoma, apical tergites sometimes darkened (Fig. 21); and free paramere length gradually tapering to acute apex (Fig. 61). Body length 10 – 15 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body cuticle entirely brown, except legs and antennae slightly lighter yellow-brown, and T 2 fringe and T 3 – 6 somewhat darker brown. Body setae entirely pale yellowishwhite, except mesosomal dorsum with pale orange setae and T 2 disc with anterolateral patches of dark brown setae. Head. Head width 0.85 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex elongated; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.45 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.5 × eye height, vertex height 1.0 × eye height, interocular distance 1.75 × eye height. Clypeus with punctate basomesal longitudinal ridge. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina gradually terminating near mid-length; ventral carina terminating in weak blunt angle. F 1 length 1.55 × pedicel length; F 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width; mesosomal length 0.8 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.85 × T 2 width. Humeral carina obliterated; humeral corner rounded; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse brachyplumose. Entire mesosoma areolate-punctate, except mesopleuron anterior to vertical mesopleural ridge and metapleuron below endophragmal pit with sparser sculpture; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking any trace of scutellar scale or transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 69: 88: 99: 100: 84: 78. Dorsal, posterior, and lateral propodeal surfaces evenly rounded into one another. Metasoma. T 1 shape subsessile, widest apically, apical width 0.5 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc punctate dorsally; disc setae interspersed long simple and plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with blunt longitudinal raised area interrupted by punctures. T 2 length 1.1 × width; disc with dense oblique punctures, intervals apparently shagreened, disc anteriorly slightly raised with punctures coarser and some intervals cariniform; disc setae interspersed erect and appressed; fringe setae plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.4 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.7 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly sparser than T 2. T 3 – 5 discs with interspersed short appressed simple setae and long erect brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose to brachyplumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, without defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. USA: California: Imperial Co., Palo Verde, 17. VIII. 1946, P. Hurd (1 ♂ MIUP); Riverside Co.: Blythe, 2. XI. 1936, C. Dammers (2 ♀, UMSP); Sand Dunes, 1 mi W Blythe, 23. V. 1970, M. Wasbauer (1 ♂, CSCA); Nevada, Clark Co., Slim Creek below Blue Point Spring, 8. II – 28. VI. 1995, W. Pratt (2 ♀ 1 ♂, CASC). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	distribution	Distribution. USA: Arizona, California, and Nevada *.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762BFFD0FF13FA33E118A271.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This sex association is based on collection of two females and one male in the same pitfall trap setup in Nevada. In addition to their co-occurrence in the trap, the males and females are similar in size and coloration. Two identical females were found in Blythe, California in the Sonoran Desert ecoregion, where males have also been found. The females from Blythe are labeled with a manuscript name as S. (A.) virgunculoides, apparently by Mickel or Schuster. The inspiration for this manuscript name (Sphaerophthalma [sic] virguncula Blake, 1886) is transferred into Acanthophotopsis below.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	description	(Figs 4, 10, 16, 22, 29, 35, 45 – 47, 65 – 68)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its coloration: the head and mesosoma are orange-brown, the metasoma is blackish dorsally with sparse pale yellowish setae, except for a baso-mesal wide patch of blackish setae (Figs 4, 16). The T 2 disc is slightly wider than long, has sparse erect setae in the posterior fifth (Fig. 4), and is coarsely areolate basally with dense deep punctures posteriorly. Body length 7.5 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible tridentate without inward-facing blunt tooth, apically vertical with the dorsal carina continuous to the inner apical tooth (Figs 45 – 47); clypeus unarmed basally, forming vertical plate (Fig. 45); vertex rounded with lateral margins convergent directly behind eyes (Fig. 29); T 2, and sometimes T 3 – 6, blackish-brown, darker than mesosoma (Fig. 22); and free paramere length gradually tapering to acute apex (Fig. 65). Body length 8 – 11 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Head and mesosoma cuticle orange-brown; antennae, legs and metasoma darker, blackish dorsally and dark reddish-brown ventrally; T 2 black, except posterior and lateral margins reddish-brown. Body setae pale yellowish, except vertex and mesosomal dorsum with pale orange setae and T 2 disc with wide basomesal patch of black setae. Head. Head width 0.8 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye moderate, subovate, in lateral view, height 1.35 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.45 × eye height, vertex height 1.0 × eye height, interocular distance 1.8 × eye height. Clypeus with narrow smooth basomesal longitudinal ridge. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina gradually terminating near inner apical tooth; ventral carina terminating in weak blunt angle. F 1 length 1.6 × pedicel length; F 2 1.4 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 0.95 × width; mesosomal length 0.9 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.85 × T 2 width. Humeral carina obliterated; humeral corner rounded; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse brachyplumose. Entire mesosoma areolate-punctate, except mesopleuron anterior to vertical mesopleural ridge and metapleuron surrounding endophragmal pit largely smooth; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking any trace of scutellar scale or transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 70: 88: 100: 100: 86: 68. Dorsal, posterior, and lateral propodeal surfaces evenly rounded into one another. Metasoma. T 1 shape subsessile, widest apically, apical width 0.4 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed long simple and plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with densely punctate blunt longitudinal ridge. T 2 length 0.95 × width; disc with dense deep punctures, intervals mostly smooth; disc setae interspersed erect and decumbent, except appressed setae absent from posterior fifth of T 2 disc; fringe setae plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.3 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.65 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly finer than T 2. T 3 – 5 discs with interspersed short appressed simple setae and long erect brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose to brachyplumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, without defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, 7. V. 1964, Blanton, Woodruff, and Broce, blacklight trap (1 ♂, CSCA). USA, New Mexico, Otero Co., Fort Bliss, Highway 506, VIII. 1995, M. Vogel (1 ♀ UTIC). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, and Nuevo Leon *; USA: New Mexico and Texas.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762FFFD1FF13FC69E0FEA3DD.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In males, the coloration of Aca. evansii superficially resembles that of Aca. bequaertii, but Aca. evansii is somewhat duller in color and differs in multiple structural features, especially in the more narrowly rounded and sparsely punctured head. All known specimens of A. evansii come from the Chihuahuan desert or adjacent mountainous areas. After figuring out the sexual associations for the other five species in this genus, a single unassociated female remained. This is the only known Acanthophotopsis female we have seen in the Chihuahuan desert in New Mexico. Like the male, it has a darkened metasoma.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	description	(Figs 5, 11, 17, 23 – 24, 30, 36, 48 – 50, 69 – 72)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the T 2 shape, sculpture, and coloration: T 2 is wider than long (Fig. 5); entirely with coarse longitudinal areolations; and with sparse, scarcely defined, broad patches of brown setae basally (Fig. 5). Body length 5 – 7.5 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the quadridentate mandible, with a large blunt tooth along the inner surface near mid-length (Figs 48 – 49). Body length 7.5 – 10 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body cuticle entirely pale brown, except legs and antennae slightly lighter yellow-brown. Body setae entirely whitish, except mesosomal dorsum and T 2 disc basally with indistinct brown setae. Head. Head width 0.8 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.7 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex elongate; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.3 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.5 × eye height, vertex height 1.0 × eye height, interocular distance 1.7 × eye height. Clypeus with punctate basomesal tubercle. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina gradually terminating near mid-length; ventral carina terminating in weak blunt angle. F 1 length 1.5 × pedicel length; F 2 1.35 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.1 × width; mesosomal length 0.9 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.7 × T 2 width. Humeral carina mostly obliterated; humeral corner rounded; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse brachyplumose. Entire mesosoma areolate-punctate, except mesopleuron anterior and posterior to vertical mesopleural ridge and metapleuron with sparser sculpture; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking any trace of scutellar scale or transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 73: 88: 100: 100: 80: 67. Dorsal, posterior, and lateral propodeal surfaces evenly rounded into one another. Metasoma. T 1 shape subsessile, widest apically, apical width 0.35 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate dorsally; disc setae interspersed long simple and short plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with short high longitudinal carina. T 2 length 0.85 × width; disc coarsely longitdunally areolate, intervals mostly rounded, areolations sparser and intervals flatter postero-mesally; disc setae interspersed erect and appressed; fringe setae plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.25 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.65 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture similar to T 2. T 3 – 5 discs with interspersed short appressed simple setae and long erect brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose to brachyplumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, without defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. USA: Arizona: Mohave Co.: 15 mi SE Boulder Dam (1 ♀, CSCA); Lime Kiln Canyon Road, 7.2 mi. SE Virgin River (1 ♀, CSCA); Yuma Co., S edge Dateland (1 ♀, CSCA); Yuma Proving Grounds (1 ♀, EMUS); California, Riverside Co., 3 mi E Mecca (1 ♀, CASC); Deep Canyon (1 ♀, UAIC); Nevada, Clark Co., 9 mi S, 8 mi W Overton (4 ♀, CSCA). Over 150 males were examined (CSCA, EMEC, EMUS, FSCA, UMSP). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	distribution	Distribution. MEXICO: Sonora; USA: Arizona, California, and Nevada.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70762EFFCFFF13FCF4E717A66C.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association is based on identical ITS 1 sequences of a female and male specimen (Fig. 1). In both sexes, this species is somewhat atypical for Acanthophotopsis; males have a unique quadridentate mandible and females have unique T 2 sculpture. This species represents the westernmost records for this genus. This is the most abundant species in the genus; we have examined over 150 males and 10 females.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	description	(Figs 6, 12, 18, 25, 31, 37, 51 – 53, 73 – 76)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its coloration: the body cuticle is uniformly orange-brown, with blackish-brown setae restricted to the mesonotum and the basal patches of T 2 (Figs 6, 18). T 2 is wider than long and coarsely areolate basally with separated to sparse punctures in the posterior half. Body length 6.0 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible tridentate without inward-facing blunt tooth (Fig. 52), apically vertical with the dorsal carina continuous to the inner apical tooth (Fig. 53); clypeus unarmed basally, forming horizontal plate (Fig. 51); vertex elongate with lateral margins parallel directly behind eyes (Fig. 31); T 1 – 2 mostly reddish-brown, concolorous with mesosoma, apical tergites often darkened (Fig. 25); and free paramere length wide throughout its length until extreme apex (Fig. 73). Body length 11.5 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body cuticle entirely orange-brown, except T 2 fringe and T 3 – 6 darker brown. Body setae entirely pale yellowish white, except mesosomal dorsum anteriorly and T 2 disc with anterolateral patches of blackish-brown setae. Head. Head width 0.85 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex elongated; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, subcircular, in lateral view, height 1.2 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.65 × eye height, vertex height 1.5 × eye height, interocular distance 2.1 × eye height. Clypeus with punctate basomesal longitudinal ridge. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina gradually terminating near mid-length; ventral carina terminating in weak blunt angle. Antennal scrobe with faint trace of interrupted dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle smooth, tubercles separated. F 1 length 1.5 × pedicel length; F 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.1 × width; mesosomal length 0.95 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.8 × T 2 width. Humeral carina obliterated; humeral corner rounded; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse brachyplumose. Entire mesosoma areolate-punctate, except mesopleuron anterior and posterior to vertical mesopleural ridge and metapleuron surrounding endophragmal pit with sparser sculpture; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking any trace of scutellar scale or transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 73: 86: 98: 100: 83: 64. Dorsal, posterior, and lateral propodeal surfaces evenly rounded into one another. Metasoma. T 1 shape subpetiolate, widest apically, apical width 0.35 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate dorsally; disc setae interspersed long simple and short plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with high blunt longitudinal carina. T 2 length 0.9 × width; disc areolate-punctate, many intervals cariniform, disc anteriorly slightly raised with slightly coarser sculpture; disc setae interspersed erect and appressed; fringe setae plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.35 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.65 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly sparser than T 2. T 3 – 5 discs with interspersed short appressed simple setae, short erect plumose setae, and long erect brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose to brachyplumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, without defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO: Durango, 20 mi S Rodeo, 21. VIII. 1960 (1 ♀, AMNH); Zacatecas, 9 mi. S Fresnillo, 20. VIII. 1956, D. D. Linsdale (1 ♂ paratype, EMEC); 15 km E. Sombrerete, 28 – 31. VII. 1951 (2 ♂, EMEC). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Chihuahua, Durango *, and Zacatecas.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707633FFCAFF13FA23E751A5E9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species is rare; it was described based on three specimens and only two additional males were found in the course of this study. Although it overlaps with Aca. evansii and Aca. bequaertii in central Mexico, it is the only Acanthophotopsis species whose distribution does not extend North into the USA and it occurs farther South than any other Acanthophotopsis species. Structurally, males of Aca. snellingi are similar to Aca. dorophora, particularly in the head and mandible shape. A single female from Durango was found with similar morphology and coloration to the female of Aca. dorophora. Although Aca. snellingi has not been collected in Durango, it was collected in the adjacent states of Zacatecas and Chihuahua. Based on geographic distribution and similarity to Aca. dorophora, we recognize this as the previously unknown female of Aca. snellingi.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	description	(Figs 7, 13, 19, 26, 32, 38, 54 – 56, 77 – 80)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by its coloration: the head and mesosoma are orange-brown, the metasoma is darker reddish-brown with sparse whitish setae, except for a baso-lateral patch of dark brown setae (Figs 7, 19). The T 2 disc is slightly longer than wide, has appressed or decumbent whitish setae in the posterior third, and the sculpture is areolate basally and moderately to sparsely punctate posteriorly. Body length 5.5 – 8.0 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible tridentate without inward-facing blunt tooth (Fig. 55), apically oblique with the dorsal carina terminating near mid-length (Figs 55 – 56); clypeus armed basally with mesal tubercle and longitudinal carina (Figs 54 – 55); vertex rounded with lateral margins convergent directly behind eyes; T 1 – 2 mostly reddish-brown, concolorous with mesosoma, apical tergites sometimes darkened (Figs 26, 32); and free paramere length thick throughout most of length, only gradually tapering toward apex (Fig. 77). Body length 10 – 13 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	description	Description. Female (based on specimens from Las Animas County, Colorado). Coloration. Head and mesosoma cuticle orange-brown; antennae, legs and metasoma darker reddish-brown, nearly black on flagellum, femora, tibiae, and apical tergites. Body setae whitish, except vertex and mesosomal dorsum with pale orange setae and T 2 disc with basolateral patches of dark brown setae. Head. Head width 0.85 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.8 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex elongated; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, subcircular, in lateral view, height 1.25 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.45 × eye height, vertex height 1.1 × eye height, interocular distance 1.7 × eye height. Clypeus with punctate basomesal longitudinal ridge. Gena sculpture areolate; gena with faint trace of carina interrupted by puncture margins; postgenal carina obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina gradually terminating near mid-length; ventral carina terminating in weak blunt angle. Antennal scrobe with faint trace of interrupted dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle smooth, tubercles separated. F 1 length 1.6 × pedicel length; F 2 1.4 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length subequal to width; mesosomal length 0.95 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.9 × T 2 width. Humeral carina ostly obliterated; humeral corner indistinctly angular; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse brachyplumose. Entire mesosoma areolate-punctate, except mesopleuron anterior and posterior to vertical mesopleural ridge and metapleuron surrounding endophragmal pit with sparser sculpture; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking any trace of scutellar scale or transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 70: 90: 102: 100: 82: 66. Dorsal, posterior, and lateral propodeal surfaces evenly rounded into one another. Metasoma. T 1 shape subpetiolate, widest apically, apical width 0.4 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate dorsally; disc setae interspersed long simple and short plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with blunt punctate longitudinal carina. T 2 length 1.05 × width; disc areolate-punctate, many anterior intervals cariniform, disc anteriorly slightly raised with coarser sculpture, disc posteriorly with shallower oblique incomplete punctures; disc setae interspersed erect and appressed; fringe setae plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.35 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.7 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture similar to T 2. T 3 – 5 discs with interspersed short appressed simple setae, short erect plumose setae, and long erect brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose to brachyplumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, without defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. USA: Colorado: Las Animas Co., Model, 13 N 574541 4142405, J. Newton: 26. V. 2009 (1 ♀ EMUS); 9. VII. 2009 (3 ♀, EMUS); 20. VIII. 2009 (1 ♀, EMUS); New Mexico: no additional data (1 ♀ holotype, ANSP); Texas: Jack Co., on ground, 24. X. 1976, R. Starbuck (1 ♀ GCWC); Llano Co., 11. VI. 1941, J. Gillaspy (1 ♂ MIUP); Uvalde Co., Speir Ranch, 3 mi NW Uvalde, 4. V. 1977, T. Eichlin and M. Wasbauer (1 ♂, CSCA). See Tanner et al. (2009) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	distribution	Distribution. USA: Colorado *, New Mexico, Oklahoma *, and Texas *.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707635FFC8FF13FAD8E2F0A4B8.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species was thought to be remarkably rare; it was described nearly 150 years ago (Blake 1886) and known from the single female type specimen until now. Structurally this female is nearly identical to the newly recognized female of Aca. bequaertii, but it has duller and paler coloration. The type locality is imprecise, providing only the state name: New Mexico. Additional females were found in museums from two localities, in southeastern Colorado and northern central Texas. Acanthophotopsis bifurca syn. nov., occurs farther east and north than any other species in the genus, and is the only Acanthophotopsis male known from the Great Plains or temperate forests in central Texas. Because the original description is especially short (Blake 1886) and we have only been able to study this specimen using photographs, the female redescription is based on the specimens from Las Animas County, Colorado. This male is structurally similar to the male of Aca. bequaertii and differs from that species mainly in the duller and paler coloration. Acanthophotopsis bifurca syn. nov., is also found in New Mexico, like the type of Aca. virguncula comb. nov. We recognize Aca. bifurca as the male, and a junior synonym, of Aca. virguncula based on parallel morphology of both sexes with Aca. bequaertii, overlapping distribution, and similarities in size and color of males and females.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707637FFC9FF13FA28E6E0A7C7.taxon	description	(Figs 81 – 175, 285)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707637FFC9FF13FA28E6E0A7C7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females can be recognized by the combination of these three characters: mandible basally with small sharp dorsal tooth and large ventral tooth; mesosomal dorsum with short bushy plumose setae, at least on dorsal surface of propodeum; and T 2 disc with scattered tubercles basally and sculpture usually areolate throughout. The following characters are also useful for identification: gena with ventral carina usually weak or absent; T 1 shape narrowly petiolate; and pygidial plate usually triangular with microreticulate sculpture. MALE. This genus can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible apically widely dilated and tridentate with large ventral tooth basally; mesosternal area unarmed; and hypopygium flattened, posterior margin widely emarginate mesally, antero-laterally with longitudinal carina. Included species. Six species: Acr. bergi Casal, 1967; Acr. campylognatha Schuster, 1958; Acr. dirce (Fox, 1899); Acr. mickeli Pitts, 2002; Acr. paratropicalis Williams, sp. nov.; and Acr. pumasunam Williams, sp. nov.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707637FFC9FF13FA28E6E0A7C7.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Before the female was associated, the genus was reviewed by Pitts & McHugh (2002) and included four species. Later, Pitts & Wilson (2009) associated the females for the two species present in the USA. Since then, two new species were discovered, and females were recognized for the two previously unassociated species.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	description	(Figs 81, 87, 93, 99, 105, 111 – 112, 125 – 128, 148 – 151)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the pygidial morphology; the pygidial plate is elongate sub-rectangular with irregular striae basally and mostly smooth sculpture apically (Fig. 105). The following features are also diagnostic: the epaulet tubercle is relatively small (Fig. 87); the body has scattered orange or brown setae dorsally (Figs 81, 93) and the T 2 disc entirely areolate with the basal tubercles often absent. Body length 4 – 6 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the pronotum, with its complete transverse suture between the epaulest, and the genitalic cuspis, with its inner surface concave with four thick curved bristles (Figs 148 – 149). Body length 8 – 11 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale orange-brown, except legs and apical metasomal tergites somewhat darker brown. Body setae entirely pale silvery, except vertex, mesosomal dorsum, T 2 disc, and T 3 – 5 with erect setae largely orange or brown. Head. Head width 0.9 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.8 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.25 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.6 × eye height, vertex height 0.9 × eye height, interocular distance 2.0 × eye height. Clypeus with mesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; without genal and postgenal carinae. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe with apparent dorsal carina interrupted by adjacent areolation margins. Antennal tubercle rounded, shagreened with faint carinae and punctures. F 1 length 1.8 × pedicel length; F 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width; mesosomal length 0.9 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.9 × T 2 width. Humeral carina not reaching epaulet dorsally, terminating in small sharp tubercle; epaulet placed on small tubercle; humeral corner forming blunt dentate angle in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse, brachyplumose; dorsal and lateral surfaces evenly rounded. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 79: 85: 99: 100: 86: 83. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface with faint shallow punctures, differentiated by punctation. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, apical width 0.4 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with sharp longitudinal carina. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc areolate throughout with many longitudinal intervals cariniform, basally sometimes forming tubercles; disc setae mostly erect brachyplumose, without short distinctly plumose setae on disc; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.25 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.6 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly finer than T 2 sculpture, with baso-mesal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate elongate sub-rectangular with posterior margin rounded, basal width similar to mesal width, maximum length 1.5 × mesal width; with irregular striae basally and mostly smooth sculpture apically.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO: Guerrero, 5 km W Tixtla, 16. IX. 1982, 1710 m, at light, J. A. Powell and J. A. Chemsak (1 ♂, EMEC); Jalisco: Autlan de la Grana, road to Microondas San Francisco, 4. VII. 2018, J. F. Limon and F. Skillman (1 ♂, CSCA); Guadalajara, 4. IX. 1965, A. R. and G. M. Gillogly (2 ♀, SDNHM); Guadalajara, El Ixtepete, 1. VIII. 1963, J. J., A. R., and G. M. Gillogly (19 ♀, SDNHM); Oaxaca, 14.5 km S Ocotlan, 3. VI. 198, 1500 m, W. Mackays (1 ♀, EMUS). See Pitts & McHugh (2002) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Guerrero *, Jalisco *, Morelos, Oaxaca *, and Puebla.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707636FFC6FF13F8F0E66FA65D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species occurs farther South than any other Acrophotopsis species. The sex association is based on coloration and distribution. Males and females are unique in having the body mostly pale orange-brown with the apical tergites darkened. The only known females were collected in two localities and have not yet been examined from the same locality as any male specimen, but they occur in similar habitats at high elevations less than 150 km away from sites with male records. They also occur outside the range of any other Acrophotopsis males. The female from Oaxaca has the T 2 disc with tighter areolations and distinct raised tubercles anteromesally, while the females from Jalisco have wider T 2 disc areolations and the raised tubercles reduced or absent. No further differences were seen to separate these females and no substantial differences were found between males in these areas.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	description	(Figs 82, 88, 94, 100, 106, 113 – 114, 129 – 132, 152 – 155)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. The following combination of characters is diagnostic: the epaulet tubercle is blunt and usually shorter than the largest tubercles at the base of T 2 (Figs 82, 88); the mesonotum has silvery to pale orange brachyplumose setae antero-mesally, the lateral and posterior areas have dense short distinctly plumose whitish setae (Figs 82, 88, 94); the T 2 disc is covered with silvery to pale orange brachyplumose setae anteriorly, the posterior half of T 2 is covered mostly with whitish setae (Figs 82, 94); and the pygidial plate is elongate triangular with densely microreticulate sculpture (Fig. 106). Body length 5 – 9 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the uniformly pale brown body coloration (Figs 113 – 114). The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: frons without raised triangular carina adjacent to clypeus (Figs 129 – 130); pronotum with suture interrupted between epaulets; legs pale yellow-brown, without orange tint, contrasting with orange-brown mesosomal cuticle (Figs 113 – 114); paramere not especially flattened apically; and cuspis elongate without specialized bristles (Figs 152 – 153). Body length 9 – 14 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale brown, except legs and antennae lighter yellow-brown. Body setae entirely pale silvery, mesosomal dorsum andT 2 disc anteriorly each with pale orange-brown setal patch. Head. Head width 0.85 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.25 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.8 × eye height, vertex height 0.9 × eye height, interocular distance 2.0 × eye height. Clypeus with mesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; without genal and postgenal carinae. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe with apparent dorsal carina interrupted by adjacent areolation margins. Antennal tubercle rounded, with irregular carinae and punctures. F 1 length 1.9 × pedicel length; F 2 1.9 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width. Humeral carina mostly obliterated by surrounding areolation margins, terminating in low blunt apparent tubercle; epaulet placed on short tubercle; humeral corner forming blunt angle in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture faintly areolate; setae sparse, brachyplumose; dorsal and lateral surfaces separated by low interrupted carina. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; entire mesosomal dorsum with interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose setae and numerous short bushy plumose setae, except bushy plumose setae absent from anteromesal portion of mesonotum; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 73: 85: 99: 100: 85: 74. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth with scattered brachyplumose setae. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface mostly smooth with faint traces of areolations, differentiated from dorsal and posterior surfaces by punctation. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, apical width 0.35 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with blunt longitudinal ridge. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc areolate throughout with many longitudinal intervals cariniform, basally forming many scattered erect tubercles; disc setae mostly erect brachyplumose in anterior half, with short distinctly plumose setae on posterior half of disc; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.3 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.7 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly finer than T 2 sculpture, with baso-mesal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate elongate sub-triangular with posterior margin bluntly rounded, basal width 1.1 × mesal width, maximum length 1.2 × maximum width; sculpture uniformly microreticulate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Baja California: 2.5 mi NW Catavina (2 ♀, CSCA); 2.8 mi E San Telmo (1 ♀, CSCA); 31.7 mi WNW Bahia de Los Angeles (1 ♀, CSCA); Baja California Sur: Arroyo San Gregorio, 13 km WNW La Purissima (1 ♂, CSCA); Las Barracas, ca. 30 km E Santiago, 24 – 26. VI. 1983 (1 ♀, MIUP). USA: California, Riverside Co., P. L. Boyd Deep Canyon Research Station (4 ♀, UCRC); Chino Canyon, nr, Palm Springs, 20. IV. 1960 (2 ♂ MIUP, 4 ♂ EMEC). See Pitts & McHugh (2002) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Baja California and Baja California Sur; USA: California.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763BFFC3FF13F93BE627A1D5.taxon	discussion	Remarks. A female was associated with Acr. campylognatha by Pitts & Wilson (2009), but this was based on misidentification. In both sexes, Acr. dirce is variable in color and can be mostly pale yellow-brown, like Acr. campylognatha. Examination of male genitalia and female pygidial shape is necessary to differentiate these species. True Acr. campylognatha apparently occur only in the western Sonoran and Peninsular deserts, from Palm Springs, California south to Baja California. On re-examination, previously published records of Acr. campylognatha from the Mojave Desert (Wilson et al. 2010) were actually Acr. dirce (KAW & JPP, pers. obs.). Structurally, males of Acr. campylognatha are nearly identical to Acr. mickeli from Baja California Sur, and these species may eventually be recognized to be conspecific. The females described here came from Deep Canyon near Palm Springs in Riverside County, CA, a locality where Acr. campylognatha is the only recorded Acrophotopsis male. Like Acr. mickeli, these females have a slender pygidial plate, which immediately separates them from only other species known from California, Acr. dirce.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763CFFC1FF13FE8DE3ABA0FD.taxon	description	(Figs 83 – 84, 89, 95 – 96, 101 – 102, 107 – 108, 115 – 118, 133 – 136, 156 – 159, 160 – 163)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763CFFC1FF13FE8DE3ABA0FD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized immediately by the short triangular pygidial plate, which is wider than long and uniformly microreticulate (Figs 107 – 108). Features considered diagnostic for other species in this genus all seem to vary within Acr. dirce: the epaulet tubercle can be sharp or blunt; the mesonotum and T 2 disc setae vary from silvery to dark brown (Figs 83 – 84, 95 – 96); and the short bushy plumose setae can be present or absent from the lateral and posterior areas of the mesonotum and the posterior half of the T 2 disc. Body length 4.5 – 8.5 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the paramere that is dorsoventrally flattened throughout its length (Figs 160 – 161). The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: frons without raised triangular carina adjacent to clypeus (Figs 133 – 134); pronotum with suture interrupted between epaulets; legs mostly or entirely pale yellow-brown, without orange tint, contrasting with orange-brown mesosomal cuticle (Figs 115 – 118); metasoma largely blackened, at least around felt lines on T 2 (Figs 115 – 118); and cuspis relatively short and parallel-sided without specialized bristles (Figs 160 – 161). Body length 8 – 13 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763CFFC1FF13FE8DE3ABA0FD.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO: Sonora: 8 km NW San Carlos, SW Sierra Aguaje, 30. III – 5. IV. 2006, malaise trap, 27 ° 03.00 ' N 108 ° 43.91 ' W, M. E. Irwin and F. D. Parker (5 ♂, EMUS); 8 mi SE Alamos, 28. III. 1961 (2 ♂, CASC); 16 mi SE Empalme, 8. V. 1953 (1 ♂ MIUP, 2 ♂ EMEC); 40 mi N Hermosillo, 8. VIII. 1960, P. H. Arnaud, E. S. Ross, and D. C. Rentz (1 ♂, CASC); 47 km ENE Alamos, 3.7 km ENE Rancho los Llanos, El Chalate, malaise at water in tropical deciduous forest, 700 m, 27 ° 04.9 ' N 108 ° 45.4 ' W, 1 – 6. VI. 2007, M. E. Irwin (1 ♂, EMUS); Alamos, 4. IX. 1970, W. J. Hanson and T. L. Whitworth (1 ♂, EMUS); Desemboque, 20 – 31. VII. 1953, B. Malkin (1 ♂, CASC); 1 – 15. VIII. 1953, B. Malkin (2 ♂, CASC); San Bernardo, 30. VII. 1935, H. S. Gentry (1 ♂, CASC); San Carlos Bay, 13. VII. 1965, W. E. Ferguson (2 ♂, CASC). USA: Arizona: Cochise Co.: 3 mi W US 66, road to Dragoon (1 ♀, FSCA); 4 mi E Portal (1 ♀, EMEC); Cave Creek Canyon (1 ♀, TAMU); Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge (1 ♀, EMUS); Sunsites, ironwood & Sherwood Roads (1 ♀, FSCA); Mohave Co.: 15 mi SE Boulder Dam (1 ♀, CSCA); Lime Kiln Canyon Road, 7.2 mi. SE Virgin River (6 ♀, CSCA); Santa Cruz Co.: Duquesne Road, 5.7 mi E Kino Springs Road (12 ♀, CSCA); Duquesne Road, W edge National Forest (19 ♀, CSCA); Jct. Duquesne Road and Kino Springs Drive (6 ♀, CSCA); Santa Cruz Co., Proctor Road near Madera Canyon (2 ♀, CSCA); Yavapai Co., Date Creek Wash, Hwy. 93 (2 ♀, CSCA); California: Inyo Co.: 2.5 mi S, 2.5 mi W Big Pine (6 ♀, CSCA); 2 mi S, 1 mi W Lone Pine, Alabama Hills sand habitat (1 ♀, EMEC); 3 mi N Lone Pine (5 ♀, CSCA); 3 mi NNW Lone Pine, Owens Valley (1 ♀, EMEC); Owens Lake Valley (12 ♀, CSCA); Sierra Nevada range, 1 mi. W Big Pine (2 ♀, CSCA); Big Pine Creek, 1 mi W Big Pine (2 ♀, EMEC); Paxton Sand Dunes, 13 mi N, 1 mi E Ridgecrest (1 ♀, EMEC); San Bernardino Co.: Joshua Tree National Monument, Pleasant Valley (2 ♀, CASC); Joshua Tree National Park, 49 Palms (1 ♀, CSCA); Panamint Range, Butte Valley, Anvil Spring (1 ♀, CSCA); Nevada: Clark Co., Lava Butte Wash at NV 167 (1 ♀, CASC); Lincoln Co., Beaver Dam State Park, 11. VIII. 1971, G. M. Nishida and D. F. Zoller (1 ♂, EMUS); Nye Co., Mercury (1 ♀, EMUS); NE Foothills, Muddy Mts. (1 ♀, CASC); Newberry Mts, N of Bridge Canyon (1 ♀, CASC); New Mexico: Hidalgo Co.: Lordsburg (3 ♀, FSCA); Stone Cabin, U ranch (2 ♀, FSCA EMUS); Highway 113, 11 mi S Interstate 10, lantern trap, K. A. Williams: 19 – 20. V. 2009 (8 ♂, EMUS); 10 – 13. VIII. 2009 (11 ♂, EMUS); Luna Co., 14.5 mi W Deming on Interstate 10, lantern trap, K. A. Williams: 19 – 20. V. 2009 (16 ♂, EMUS); 10 – 13. VIII. 2009 (2 ♂, EMUS); Socorro Co., Sevilleta NWR (1 ♀, EMUS). Utah, Washington Co.: Beaver Dam Wash, Lytle Ranch Preserve, 20. VII – 6. VIII. 1987, W. J. Hanson (3 ♂, EMUS); Leeds Canyon, 17. VII. 1980, Hanson, Knowlton, and Clemons (2 ♂, EMUS); Snow Canyon, 15. VI. 1983, W. J. Hanson (1 ♂, EMUS). See Pitts & McHugh (2002) for additional records. We examined 40 additional females and nearly 2,000 males from various similar localities (ASUT, CNCI, DGMC, EMUS, UMSP).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763CFFC1FF13FE8DE3ABA0FD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Sonora; USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Remarks. This is the most common and widely distributed species in Acrophotopsis. Females from the Madrean Archipelago in southeastern Arizona and New Mexico (Eastern morph) tend to have fewer plumose setae on the T 2 disc and mesonotum than those seen in females from the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in Arizona, California, and Nevada (Western morph). Eastern morph males tend to have the hind femur dark brown apically (Fig. 118) and the cuspis slightly longer and more acutely pointed apically, while Western morph males tend to have the legs uniformly pale yellow-brown (Fig. 117) and the cuspis slightly shorter and apically blunter. Eastern morph females seem to always have the mesonotum and T 2 disc with dark brown setae (Figs 83, 95), while Western morph females have these setal patches varying from brown to pale yellow or silvery (e. g. Figs 84, 96). Future studies on Acr. dirce could reveal that these are discrete species, rather than regional variants. The published DNA sequences of Acr. dirce from Pitts & Wilson (2009) actually belong to Acr. paratropicalis sp. nov., and the specimens that were discussed as Acr. campylognatha in Pitts & Wilson (2009) belong to Acr. dirce.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	description	(Figs 85, 90, 97, 103, 109, 119 – 120, 137 – 140, 164 – 167) Acrophotopsis mickeli Pitts in Pitts & McHugh, 2002: 341. Holotype male: Mexico, Baja California Sur, 6 mi SW Santiago, 31. VIII. 1959, Light Trap, K. W. Radford and F. G. Werner (CASC), examined.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. The following combination of characters is diagnostic: the epaulet tubercle is blunt and usually shorter than the largest tubercles at the base of T 2 (Fig. 91); the mesonotum has brown brachyplumose setae antero-mesally, the lateral and posterior areas have dense short distinctly plumose whitish setae (Figs 85, 91, 97); the T 2 disc is covered with brown brachyplumose setae anteriorly, the posterior half of T 2 is covered mostly with whitish setae (Figs 85, 97); and the pygidial plate is elongate triangular with densely microreticulate sculpture (Fig. 109). Body length 4.5 – 8.5 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: frons without raised triangular carina adjacent to clypeus (Figs 137 – 138); pronotum with suture interrupted between epaulets; legs mostly or entirely pale yellow-brown, without orange tint, contrasting with orange-brown mesosomal cuticle (Figs 119 – 120); paramere not especially flattened apically (Figs 164 – 166); and cuspis relatively short, more or less parallel-sided, without specialized brisles (Figs 164 – 166). Body length 9 – 12 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale brown, except legs and antennae lighter yellow-brown. Body setae entirely pale silvery, mesosomal dorsum and T 2 disc anteriorly each with dark blackish-brown setal patch. Head. Head width 0.8 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.3 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.75 × eye height, vertex height 0.75 × eye height, interocular distance 2.0 × eye height. Clypeus with mesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; without genal and postgenal carinae. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe with apparent dorsal carina interrupted by adjacent areolation margins. Antennal tubercle rounded, with irregular carinae and punctures. F 1 length 2.0 × pedicel length; F 2 2.0 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width; mesosomal length 0.85 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.85 × T 2 width. Humeral carina interrupted by surrounding areolation margins, terminating in low blunt tubercle; epaulet placed on short tubercle; humeral corner forming blunt angle in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture faintly areolate; setae sparse, brachyplumose; dorsal and lateral surfaces separated by punctation. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; entire mesosomal dorsum with interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose setae and numerous short bushy plumose setae, except bushy plumose setae absent from brown colored anteromesal portion of mesonotum; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 77: 85: 99: 100: 83: 74. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth with scattered brachyplumose setae. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface mostly smooth with faint traces of areolations, differentiated from dorsal and posterior surfaces by punctation. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, apical width 0.3 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with blunt longitudinal ridge. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc areolate throughout with many longitudinal intervals cariniform, basally forming many scattered erect tubercles; disc setae mostly erect brachyplumose in anterior half, with short distinctly plumose setae on posterior half of disc; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.4 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.7 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture slightly finer than T 2 sculpture, with baso-mesal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate elongate sub-triangular with posterior margin bluntly rounded, basal width 1.3 × mesal width, maximum length 1.2 × maximum width; sculpture uniformly microreticulate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California, 1 km N Rancho El Mezquital, 2815 / 11350 (1 ♀, CASC); Baja California Sur: 1 km S Todos Santos (1 ♀, EMUS); 2.5 mi SE Todos Santos (1 ♀, CASC); 6.5 mi S, 1 mi E El Pescadero (1 ♀, FSCA); 7.5 mi W El Triunfo (1 ♀, CASC); 9 mi N Cabo San Lucas (1 ♀, TAMU); Boca de la Sierra (1 ♀, CASC); Playa Los Cerritos (1 ♀, CSCA); Punta Lobos (1 ♀, CASC). See Pitts & McHugh (2002) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Baja California and Baja California Sur.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70763EFFFFFF13FDECE60EA335.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association is based on overlapping distribution in Baja California Sur and parallels in coloration. For many nocturnal mutillids, the extent of blackened setae on the female mesonotum and T 2 disc are correlated with blackened cuticle on the male tergites. As stated by Pitts & McHugh (2002), this species is nearly identical to Acr. campylognatha, and the males differ only by the darker coloration and slightly longer cuspis of Acr. mickeli. Females, likewise, are apparently structurally identical except for the darker coloration of Acr. mickeli.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	description	(Figs 121 – 122, 141 – 144, 168 – 171)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the paramere, which is moderately flattened and has few thick bristles along the outer margin that do not surpass the paramere apex (Figs 168 – 169). The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: frons with its raised triangular carina directly above the clypeus (Fig. 142); pronotum with suture weakly interrupted between epaulets; legs mostly orange-brown, only slightly lighter than mesosomal cuticle (Figs 121 – 122); metasoma largely blackened, at least around felt lines on T 2 (Figs 121 – 122); and cuspis relatively short without specialized curved bristles along inner margin and with elbowed region along outer margin (Figs 168 – 169). Body length 8 – 11 mm. FEMALE. Unknown.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	description	Description. Male. Coloration. Head, mesosoma, and first metasomal segment uniformly orange-brown; legs and antennae only slightly lighter orange-brown; metasomal segments 2 – 7 variably darkened, usually with tergal and sternal discs blackish-brown and somewhat darker than orange-brown tergal and sternal fringes, often with T 5 – 7 mostly orange-brown and S 2 with mesal lighter orange-brown irregular patch. Body setae entirely pale silvery, slightly orange-tinted on mesoscutum. Head. Head rounded, lateral margins of vertex convergent directly behind eye, post-ocular distance 0.65 × dorsal eye length; head width 0.95 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.85 × mesonotal width. Head smooth with sparse small punctures; frons without raised triangular ridge directly above clypeus. Ocelli large; OOD 1.4 × DLO, IOD 0.5 × DLO. Antennal scrobe with short dorsal carina and small tubercle. Clypeus concave mesally, with sparse punctures, with setose upcurved transverse anterior ridge. Scape unicarinate. F 1 length 2.3 × pedicel length; F 2 length 3.0 × pedicel length. Mandible vertical throughout its length; apically tridentate and widely dilated beyond excision, deeply excised beneath with large rounded ventral tooth; dorsal carina complete, terminating at large inner apical tooth. In lateral view, ratio of eye height, mandibular height at ventral tooth, mandibular height at excision, and mandibular height at inner apical tooth: 10: 5: 3: 5. Mesosoma. Epaulet placed in transverse ovate sulcus; epaulet sulci clearly separated by punctation. Anterior surface of pronotum punctate like dorsal and lateral surfaces. Tegula convex, mostly smooth and impunctate with dense punctures along anterior and inner margins. Mesoscutum densely areolate-punctate; notaulus and parapsis distinct, obliterated from anterior half of mesoscutum. Mesoscutellum convex, slightly more coarsely areolate than mesoscutum. Propodeum with dorsal, lateral, and posterior surfaces scarcely differentiated, shallowly areolate; enclosed area irregular, two areolations long. Mesopleuron mostly areolate, areolations mostly obliterated directly above procoxa and mesocoxa; mesosternal area unarmed, with slightly finer sculpture than mesopleuron laterally. Metapleuron virtually smooth, with micropunctures and sparse setae. Mid and hind coxa unarmed. Marginal cell apically acute, 1.5 × length of stigma. Metasoma. T 1 elongate sub-petiolate; areolate-punctate with dorsal sculpture largely obliterated; setae sparse, mostly brachyplumose, without plumose fringe. S 1 without distinct longitudinal mesal carina. T 2 disc punctures sparse, fine; S 2 sculpture as on T 2, scarcely swollen antero-mesally. T 2 felt line linear, 0.6 × T 2 length; S 2 felt line distinct, 0.2 × T 2 felt line length. Pygidial area wider than long, mostly smooth, not margined laterally, with distinct posterior fringe of short dense setae. Hypopygium wider than long; apical margin emarginate mesally; with raise anterolateral carina. Genitalia. In dorsal view, ratio of apical lengths of genitalic structures from anterior margin of parapenial lobe: free length of paramere, cuspis, digitus, penis valve, parapenial lobe: 100: 69: 46: 48: 41. Paramere dorsoventrally flattened, shallowly sigmoidal, with outer fringe of few thickened setae that do not surpass paramere apex; with inner brush of short dense setae just beyond cuspis apex. Cuspis length 0.45 × free paramere length, dorsoventrally flattened, apically dilated with angular elbowed outer margin, with dense long setae, setae along inner margin thicker than posterior setae. Paracuspis short, lobe-like, rounded, densely setose. Digitus cylindrical, asetose. Penis valve height 0.35 × penis valve length, highest mesally; with two subequal apical teeth, distance between teeth 0.11 × length of valve, sulcus between teeth shallowly rounded; apical margin with rows of distinct setae above each tooth; ratio of penis valve height at basal third, medial area, directly anterior to anterior apical tooth, and between apical teeth: 33: 34: 19: 13. Female. Unknown.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype male. MEXICO, Sonora: 2 km E Alamos, Rancho el Palmarito, malaise trap, 470 m, 27 ° 01.96 ' N 108 ° 47.04 ' W, 24 – 31. II. 2009, M. E. Irwin (EMUS). Paratypes. MEXICO: Chihuahua: 15 mi SW Tejaban along Urique River, 16 – 18. V. 1991, R. E. Stecker (1 ♂, CASC); Sinaloa: 5 mi W Guamuchil, 20. V. 1962, F. D. Parker and L. A. Stange (1 ♂, UCDC); Sonora: 3 km NE Alamos, La Huerta Orchard, 27 ° 01 ' N 108 ° 54 ' W, 19 – 24. [??]. 2008, M. E. Irwin and O. Figuero (1 ♂, EMUS); 20 km E Alamos, Rancho Palo Injerto, 28 – 31. VI. 2007, M. E. Irwin and F. D. Parker (1 ♂ EMUS, DNA voucher JP 686); 25 km NE Alamos, La Posa, malaise, 1062 m, 27 ° 05.70 ' N 108 ° 45.10 ' W, 11 – 16. X. 2009, M. E. Irwin (1 ♂, EMUS); 26 km E Alamos, Rancho Las Lajas, Arrollo El Limon, malaise, 427 m, 27 ° 04.03 ' N 108 ° 43.47 ' W: 1 – 4. IV. 2007, M. E. Irwin and S. A. Meyer (2 ♂, EMUS); 27. V. 2008, M. E. Irwin and O. Figueroa (2 ♂, EMUS); 26 km E Alamos, Rancho Sotorijaqui, malaise, 427 m, 27 ° 04.03 ' N 108 ° 43.47 ' W, 1 – 4. IV. 2008, M. E. Irwin and F. D. Parker (1 ♂, EMUS); 30 km NE Alamos, Rancho Santa Barbara headquarters, malaise at water hole in wash, oak woodland, 1334 m, 27 ° 07.27 ' N 108 ° 43.3 ' W, 2 – 4. IV. 2008, M. E. Irwin and S. A. Meyer (4 ♂, EMUS); 40 km E Alamos, Rancho El Cajon, malaise on sand bench of Rio Cuchujaqui, 420 m, 27 ° 03.00 ' N 108 ° 43.91 ' W, M. E. Irwin: 27 – 31. V. 2007 (5 ♂, EMUS); 1 – 4. X. 2006 (1 ♂, EMUS); 47 km ENE Alamos, 3.7 km ENE Rancho los Llanos, El Chalate, malaise at water in tropical deciduous forest, 700 m, 27 ° 04.9 ' N 108 ° 45.4 ' W, 1 – 6. VI. 2007, M. E. Irwin (4 ♂, EMUS); Alamos, Rancho Acosta, malaise in dry wash, tropical deciduous forest, 395 m, 27 ° 01.57 ' N 108 ° 55.37 ' W, 26. V – 6. VI. 2007, M. E. Irwin (1 ♂, EMUS). USA: Arizona: Pima Co.: Santa Rita Experimental Range, Florida Canyon, 31 ° 45 ' 42 " N 110 ° 50 ' 43 " W, 1646 m, Bjornstad and Sharkey (3 ♂ EMUS, 1 ♂ CSCA); Santa Rita Mountains, Coronado National Forest, Florida Canyon, 31 ° 45 ' 42 " N 110 ° 50 ' 42 " W, 1339 m, malaise trap, 11 – 15. VI. 2007, S. D. Gaimari and D. Kinch (1 ♂ CSCA); Santa Cruz Co.: 5 km W Peña Blanca Lake at Rt 39, Atascosa Mts, malaise in dry wash, 1263 m, 31 ° 23.47 ' N, 111 ° 06.84 ' W, 3 – 7. V. 2004, M. E. Irwin and F. D. Parker (2 ♂, EMUS, DNA voucher JP 84); 15 km W Peña Blanca Lake at Rt 39, Atascosa Mts, malaise, vegetated wash, 1300 m, 31 ° 25.26 ' N 111 ° 09.80 ' W, 3 – 7. V. 2004, M. E. Irwin and F. D. Parker (2 ♂, EMUS).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From the ancient Greek para- “ beside or near ” and tropikos “ tropical ”. This species is known predominantly from the Sonoran – Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest ecoregion, which forms a transition between the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora; USA: Arizona.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707600FFFCFF13FDA4E64BA695.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This is the only species in the genus to lack an associated female. Most of the type material of this species was collected using malaise traps near Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. Because female mutillids do not fly, they are rarely collected with malaise traps. The ITS 1 sequences presented as Acr. dirce by Pitts & Wilson (2009) belong to this species. In Sonora, Mexico and Arizona, USA, this species overlaps in distribution with Acr. dirce. Of the 35 known specimens of Acr. paratropicalis, only 9 came from Arizona; these nine specimens came from two subtropical areas in the southern portion of the state, and all were collected in either May or June. The only other Acrophotopsis species in Arizona, Acr. dirce, is much more abundant and widespread. Over 1500 Acr. dirce specimens have been found in Arizona, spanning at least 11 counties. In Sonora, Acr. paratropicalis seems to dominate the sub-tropical area surrounding Alamos, but Acr. dirce is widespread in the desert habitats throughout this state. Acrophotopsis paratropicalis is apparently most closely related to Acr. pumasunam sp. nov., which has similar coloration, particularly in the darkened metasoma and legs that are concolorous with the mesosoma. Other similarities are found in the male genitalia, the cuspis of both species is relatively short and has an elbowed outer margin. Acrophotopsis paratropicalis is distinct, however, in the shorter and sparser setae on the outer paramere margin and the absence of a raised carina on the frons. Furthermore, Acr. paratropicalis and Acr. pumasunam have widely divergent genetic distances in their ITS 1 sequences (22 bp differences in 500 total bp). Their sequences, however, are more similar to each other than either of them is to any other Acrophotopsis species (Fig. 1).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	description	(Figs 86, 91 – 92, 98, 104, 110, 123 – 124, 145 – 147, 172 – 175)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by the epaulet tubercle (Figs 91 – 92), which is spinose and larger than the largest tubercles at the base of T 2. The following characters are also diagnostic: the mesonotum has brown brachyplumose setae mesally, the lateral and posterior areas have shorter plumose whitish setae (Fig. 86); the T 2 disc is covered with brown brachyplumose setae anteriorly, the posterior half of T 2 is covered mostly with whitish setae (Fig. 86); and the pygidial plate is triangular with densely microreticulate sculpture (Fig. 110). Body length 5 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the frons with its raised triangular carina directly above the clypeus (Figs 145 – 146). The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: pronotum with suture interrupted between epaulets; metasoma largely blackened, at least around felt lines on T 2 (Figs 123 – 124); legs mostly orange-brown, only slightly lighter than mesosomal cuticle (Figs 123 – 124); paramere not flattened throughout its length; and cuspis relatively short without specialized bristles and with elbowed region along outer margin (Figs 172 – 173). Body length 8 – 11 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	description	Description. Female. Coloration. Body uniformly pale brown, except legs and antennae lighter yellow-brown. Body setae entirely pale silvery, mesosomal dorsum and T 2 disc anteriorly each with dark blackish-brown setal patch. Head. Head width 0.9 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.8 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.25 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.9 × eye height, vertex height 0.9 × eye height, interocular distance 2.0 × eye height. Clypeus with mesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; without genal and postgenal carinae. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe without dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle rounded, with irregular carinae and punctures. F 1 length 1.8 × pedicel length; F 2 1.6 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width. Humeral carina mostly obliterated by surrounding areolation margins, terminating in small tubercle; epaulet placed on long sharp tubercle; humeral corner forming distinct angle in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate; setae sparse, brachyplumose; dorsal and lateral surfaces not distinctly separated. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; entire mesosomal dorsum with interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose setae and numerous short bushy plumose setae, except bushy plumose setae absent from anteromesal portion of mesonotum; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 79: 85: 99: 100: 86: 83. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth with scattered brachyplumose setae. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface areolate, only slightly fainter than dorsal surface, not clearly differentiated from dorsal and posterior surfaces. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, apical width 0.4 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with longitudinal ridge. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc areolate throughout with many longitudinal intervals cariniform, basally forming many scattered erect tubercles; disc setae mostly erect brachyplumose in anterior half, with short distinctly plumose setae on posterior half of disc; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.25 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.6 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture similar to T 2 sculpture, with basomesal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate elongate sub-triangular with posterior margin acutely rounded, basal width 1.1 × mesal width, maximum length 1.2 × maximum width; entirely microreticulate. Male. Coloration. Head, mesosoma, and first metasomal segment uniformly orange-brown; legs and antennae only slightly lighter orange-brown; metasomal segments 2 – 7 variably darkened, usually with tergal and sternal discs dark brown, somewhat darker than orange-brown to yellowish tergal fringes and lateral margins, sternites often lighter orange-brown. Body setae entirely pale silvery, slightly orange-tinted on mesoscutum. Head. Head rounded, lateral margins of vertex convergent directly behind eye, post-ocular distance 0.75 × dorsal eye length; head width 0.95 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.85 × mesonotal width. Head smooth with moderately-spaced small punctures; frons with raised triangular longitudinal ridge directly above clypeus. Ocelli large; OOD 1.7 × DLO, IOD 0.75 × DLO. Antennal scrobe with short dorsal carina and small tubercle. Clypeus concave mesally, with moderately-spaced small punctures, with setose upcurved transverse anterior ridge. Scape unicarinate. F 1 length 2.7 × pedicel length; F 2 length 2.9 × pedicel length. Mandible vertical throughout its length; apically tridentate and widely dilated beyond excision, deeply excised beneath with large rounded ventral tooth; dorsal carina complete, terminating at large inner apical tooth. In lateral view, ratio of eye height, mandibular height at ventral tooth, mandibular height at excision, and mandibular height at inner apical tooth: 45: 25: 15: 21. Mesosoma. Epaulet placed in transverse ovate sulcus that extends nearly to midpoint of pronotum; epaulet sulci only indistinctly interrupted by punctation mesally. Anterior surface of pronotum punctate like dorsal and lateral surfaces. Tegula convex, mostly smooth and impunctate with dense punctures along anterior and inner margins. Mesoscutum densely areolate-punctate; notaulus and parapsis distinct, obliterated from anterior quarter of mesoscutum. Mesoscutellum convex, slightly more coarsely areolate than mesoscutum. Propodeum with dorsal, lateral, and posterior surfaces scarcely differentiated, shallowly areolate; without specialized enclosed area. Mesopleuron mostly areolate, areolations mostly obliterated directly above procoxa and mesocoxa; mesosternal area unarmed, with sculpture largely obliterated. Metapleuron virtually smooth, with micropunctures and sparse setae. Mid and hind coxa unarmed. Marginal cell apically acute, 1.3 × length of stigma. Metasoma. T 1 elongate sub-petiolate; areolate-punctate with dorsal sculpture distinct; setae sparse, mostly brachyplumose, without plumose fringe. S 1 without distinct longitudinal mesal carina. T 2 disc punctures sparse, fine; S 2 sculpture as on T 2, scarcely swollen antero-mesally. T 2 felt line linear, 0.55 × T 2 length; S 2 felt line distinct, 0.25 × T 2 felt line length. Pygidial area wider than long, shagreened, not margined laterally, with distinct posterior fringe of short dense setae. Hypopygium wider than long; apical margin emarginate mesally; with raise anterolateral carina. Genitalia. In dorsal view, ratio of apical lengths of genitalic structures from anterior margin of parapenial lobe: free length of paramere, cuspis, digitus, penis valve, parapenial lobe: 100: 73: 52: 51: 46. Paramere scarecely dorsoventrally flattened, elbowed near midpoint, with outer fringe of few thickened setae that surpass paramere apex; with inner brush of short dense setae near cuspis apex. Cuspis length 0.5 × free paramere length, dorsoventrally flattened, apically dilated with angular elbowed outer margin; with dense long setae, setae along inner margin thicker than posterior setae, elbowed area with small tuft of especially long setae. Paracuspis short, lobe-like, rounded, densely setose. Digitus cylindrical, asetose. Penis valve height 0.33 × penis valve length, highest sub-basally; with two subequal apical teeth, distance between teeth 0.10 × length of valve, sulcus between teeth shallowly forming approximately right angle; apical margin dorsally with longitudinal row of distinct setae; patch of setae present antero-dorsal to anterior apical tooth; ratio of penis valve height at basal third, medial area, directly anterior to anterior apical tooth, and between apical teeth: 33: 32: 18: 12.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype male. MEXICO, Jalisco: Estacion Biologia Chamela, pan traps, 19 ° 29.889 ' N 105 ° 02.662 ' W, 30. IV – 2. V. 2011, J. Rodriguez and K. A. Williams (EMUS, DNA voucher JP 1934). Paratypes (1 female, 8 males). MEXICO, Jalisco: Careyes, 12. II – 19. III. 1997, F. D. Parker (6 ♂, CSCA EMUS); Estacion Biologia Chamela, pan traps, 19 ° 29.889 ' N 105 ° 02.662 ' W, 28 – 30. IV. 2011, J. Rodriguez and K. A. Williams (1 ♀, EMUS); Chamela, malaise trap: 10. X. 1985 (1 ♂, EMUS); 13. XI. 1985 (1 ♂, EMUS).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is known mainly from the Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala in Jalisco, Mexico. This site was founded and funded largely by the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). The University’s affiliated Football Club, los pumas de la UNAM, is one of the most popular sports teams in Mexico. This species bears the club’s name as it appears in sporting box scores: Pumas UNAM. Treat as a noun in apposition.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Jalisco.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707604FFF9FF13FF59E617A41D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association of this species is based on males collected at the same site and locality as a female in the Reserva de la Biosfera Chamela-Cuixmala in Jalisco, Mexico. This is the second species of the genus known from the Neotropical Biogeographical realm, after Acr. bergi, which occurs at higher elevations further inland.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707606FFF6FF13FA4DE6E0A597.taxon	description	(Figs 176 – 217, 286)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707606FFF6FF13FA4DE6E0A597.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females can be recognized by the combination of these four characters: mandible basally with small sharp dorsal tooth and large ventral tooth; gena without ventral carina; mesosomal dorsum without short bushy plumose setae; and T 2 without scattered tubercles basally, with separated punctures at least on posterior half. The following characters are also useful for identification: T 1 shape narrowly petiolate and pygidial plate triangular with sculpture usually microreticulate. MALE. This genus can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible apically widely dilated and tridentate with large ventral tooth basally; mesosternal area armed with one tubercle or tooth on each side; and hypopygium flattened, posterior margin widely emarginate mesally, antero-laterally with longitudinal carina. Included species. Three species, all known from both sexes: D. concolor (Cresson, 1865); D. paron (Cameron, 1895); and D. stenognatha Schuster, 1958.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707606FFF6FF13FA4DE6E0A597.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This genus was described by Schuster (1958) to include two species known from males only; one of the species, D. concolor, was split into multiple subspecies. Mickel (1963) described the female of D. stenognatha and Pitts et al. (2007) described the female of D. concolor. Subsequently, the genus was reviewed by Wilson & Pitts (2008) and one of the subspecies of D. concolor, D. c. paron, was raised to a full species, and the other subspecies were recognized as synonyms of D. concolor without subspecies designation. Below we describe the female of D. paron. All three species in this genus are now recognized from both sexes.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707609FFF4FF13FB31E142A421.taxon	description	(Figs 176 – 177, 182, 185, 188 – 189, 194 – 197, 206 – 209)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707609FFF4FF13FB31E142A421.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by coloration and metasomal shape: the mesonotum and T 2 disc are covered with brown or orange setae (Figs 176 – 177), and the T 2 disc is convex with relatively uniform punctation. Body length 4 – 8.5 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the cuspis, which is angular along the outer margin (Figs 206 – 207), with a carina at the elbowed region. Additionally, the mandible is clearly dilated apically with the dorsal and ventral margins widely divergent beyond the ventral excision (Figs 195 – 196), the mesosternal processes are generally triangular and smooth (Fig. 197); the legs often have the femoral apices darkened, and the metasoma is usually uniformly concolorous with the mesosoma (Figs 188 – 189). Body length 8 – 12 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707609FFF4FF13FB31E142A421.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO: Durango, Durango (2 ♀, CASC); USA: Arizona: Cochise Co.: 11 mi NW Fort Huachuca (1 ♀, SEMC); 2 mi NE Douglas (1 ♀, CASC); Coconino Co.: dune 2 km WSW Moenkopi (4 ♀, CSCA FSCA); Hwy 89 A, 24.4 mi W Colorado River (7 ♀, CSCA FSCA); Hwy 89 A, 4.9 mi ESE Jct. 389 (9 ♀, CSCA FSCA); Mohave Co., Lime Kiln Canyon Road, 7.2 mi. SE Virgin River (1 ♀, CSCA); California: Inyo Co.: 12 mi E Big Pine (1 ♀, CSCA); Deep Springs Valley (3 ♀, CSCA); Eureka Valley (1 ♀, CSCA); Owens Lake Valley (10 ♀, EMEC CSCA); Mono Co.: Fish Slough, 7 mi. N Bishop (3 ♀, CSCA EMEC); Fish Slough, 9 mi. N Bishop (1 ♀, CSCA); Colorado: Bent Co., Hasty (3 ♀, CSUC); Moffat Co., Echo Park (2 ♀, CASC); Idaho: Jefferson Co., 23 mi NNW Idaho Falls (1 ♀, SEMC); Owyhee Co., 9 mi NW Grandview (1 ♀, CASC); Kansas, Kiowa Co., 13 mi S Greensburg (1 ♀, SEMC); Montana, Glacier Co., Glacier NP, Swiftcurrent (1 ♀, CASC); Nevada: Esmerelda Co., 3 mi N Goldfield (1 ♀, CSCA); Nye Co., Mercury (1 ♀, CASC); Pershing Co., Woolsey (2 ♀, CSCA); New Mexico: Chaves Co.: Bitter Lake NWR (1 ♀, EMUS); Lea Lake Vista Point, Bottomless Lakes SP (1 ♀, UCDC); Eddy Co.: 10.7 mi W Hope, Hwy 82 (1 ♀, EMEC); Carlsbad Caverns (1 ♀, EMEC); Eddy Co., Loving (1 ♀, CASC); Grant Co., Hurley (6 ♀, FSCA); Hidalgo Co.: Big Hatchet Ranch, Doyle Tank (1 ♀, FSCA); Lordsburg (9 ♀, FSCA); Los Alamos Co., Mortandad Canyon, Los Alamos (2 ♀, AMNH); Luna Co., 16 km N Deming (1 ♀, FSCA); Texas, Brewster Co.: Big Bend NP, Cottonwood Campground (1 ♀, TAMU); Black Gap Wildlife Refuge (1 ♀, TAMU); Stillwell RV Park on Hwy 2627 (1 ♀, TAMU); Jeff Davis Co., Davis Mts. (1 ♀, CASC); Terrell Co., Sanderson (1 ♀, TAMU); Utah, Cache Co., Hyrum Reservoir (19 ♀, EMUS). We examined 85 additional females and over 500 males from various localities (CNCI, DGMC, EMEC, EMUS, UAIC, UMSP). See Wilson and Pitts (2008) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707609FFF4FF13FB31E142A421.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Canada: British Columbia; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas *; USA: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707609FFF4FF13FB31E142A421.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This is the most widespread and common species in Dilophotopsis and one of the most widespread species in the tribe Sphaeropthalmini.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	description	(Figs 178 – 179, 183, 186, 190 – 191, 198 – 201, 210 – 213) Sphaerophthalma [sic] paron Cameron, 1896: 88. Holotype male: Mexico, Northern Sonora, Morrison (BMNH), examined.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by coloration and metasomal shape: the mesonotum and T 2 disc are covered with pale grayish yellow setae (Figs 178 – 179), and the T 2 disc is slightly flattened mesally with coarser sculpture anteriorly. Body length 5 – 9 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the evenly rounded and dorsally shagreened mesosternal tubercles (Fig. 201). Additionally, the mandible is clearly dilated apically with the dorsal and ventral margins widely divergent beyond the ventral excision (Figs 199 – 200), the legs are usually entirely pale yellow-brown, the metasoma is usually uniformly concolorous with the mesosoma (Figs 190 – 191), and the cuspis is rounded along the outer margin (Figs 210 – 211). Body length 9 – 13 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale orange-brown, except legs and antennae somewhat lighter yellow-brown, and apical metasomal tergites somewhat darker brown. Body setae entirely gray to pale yellow, except mesonotum and T 2 disc with slightly darker yellowish appressed setae. Head. Head width 0.75 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex sub-quadrate; frons and vertex areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.3 × width; in anterior view, malar space 0.7 × eye height, vertex height 1.1 × eye height, interocular distance 2.3 × eye height. Clypeus with mesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; without genal and postgenal carinae. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe apparent dorsal carina interrupted by adjacent areolation margins. Antennal tubercle with many parallel indistinct carinae, forming oblique weak shelf margined by thickest carina. F 1 length 1.9 × pedicel length; F 2 1.4 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width; mesosomal length 1.0 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.95 × T 2 width. Humeral carina not reaching epaulet dorsally; epaulet placed on scarcely raised tubercle; humeral corner forming blunt angle in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture with dense punctures and smooth intervals; setae sparse, brachyplumose; dorsal and lateral surfaces separated by weakly defined carina. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 78: 82: 98: 100: 83: 73. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth with few scattered setae. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface with faint shallow punctures, differentiated by punctation. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, apical width 0.45 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate-punctate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with blunt longitudinal carina, with pre-apical notch. T 2 length 0.95 × width; disc areolate anteriorly with many longitudinal intervals cariniform and sometimes forming apparent tubercles, becoming moderately punctate with flat intervals posteriorly; disc setae interspersed appressed simple and erect brachyplumose setae; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.25 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.65 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture similar to posterior half of T 2, with baso-mesal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate triangular, basal width 1.3 × medial width, maximum length 1.0 × maximum width; sculpture densely microreticulate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Baja California: Bahia de Los Angeles (2 ♀, CASC EMUS); 3 mi S San Jose Castillo (1 ♀, CASC); 10 mi. S Catavina (1 ♀, UMSP); Baja California Sur: 1 mi SW Eido Esperanza (2 ♂, CSCA); Rancho Tablon, 13 km S Guillermo Preto (31 ♂, CSCA); USA: Arizona, Mohave Co., Lime Kiln Canyon Road, 7.2 mi SE Virgin River (1 ♀, CSCA); California: Inyo Co.: Eureka Valley (8 ♀, EMUS); Owens Lake Valley (41 ♀, CSCA EMUS); Riverside Co.: Palm Springs (7 ♀, UMSP); Whitewater Canyon Palms (1 ♀, CSCA); San Bernardino Co.: Afton Canyon Campground (10 ♀, CSCA); JTNM, Pleasant Valley (4 ♀, CASC); JTNM, Quail Guzzler (1 ♀, CASC); JTNP, 0.7 mi S Squaw Tank (1 ♀, CASC); San Diego Co., Jacumba (2 ♀, CASC); Nevada: Clark Co.: Newberry Mts, N of Bridge Cyn (1 ♀, CASC); Lava Butte Wash at NV 167 (1 ♀, CASC); Lee Canyon, Toiyabe Reservoir (1 ♀, EMUS). See Wilson and Pitts (2008) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Baja California, Baja California Sur *; USA: Arizona, California, and Nevada.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760BFFF2FF13FA90E715A406.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association is based on males and females collected in the same localities, and particularly in California desert localities where D. paron is the only Dilophotopsis species present.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760DFFF3FF13FAB5E06EA06D.taxon	description	(Figs 180 – 181, 184, 187, 192 – 193, 202 – 205, 214 – 217)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760DFFF3FF13FAB5E06EA06D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by coloration and metasomal shape: the mesonotum and T 2 disc are covered with orange setae (Figs 180 – 181), and the T 2 disc is distinctly flattened mesally with coarse areolations anteriorly. This species is consistently larger than other Dilophotopsis females. Body length 10 – 14 mm. MALE. This species can be immediately recognized by the slender mandible, with the dorsal and lateral margins nearly parallel beyond the ventral excision (Figs 203 – 204). Additionally, the mesosternal processes are triangular and smooth, the metasoma is largely blackened (Figs 192 – 193), the cuspis is rounded along the outer margin, and this species is generally larger than other Dilophotopsis males. Body length 14 – 18 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760DFFF3FF13FAB5E06EA06D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Sonora, 8 mi SE Alamos (1 ♂, SDNHM); 16 mi SE Empalme, 8. V. 1953 (1 ♂ MIUP, 11 ♂ EMEC). USA, Arizona: Maricopa Co., Gila Bend (1 ♀, UMSP); Scottsdale (1 ♀, ASUT); South Mountain Park (6 ♀, ASUT CASC); Vekol Wash, 5 km N I – 8 (5 ♀, EMUS); Pima Co.: Downing Well (1 ♀, UMSP); Green Valley (1 ♀, CSCA); Organ Pipe National Monument (2 ♀, CASC); Organ Pipe National Monument, Twin Peaks (1 ♀, UAIC); Sabino Canyon (1 ♀, UMSP); small wash east of Tucson (2 ♀, CSCA EMUS); Tucson (2 ♀, UAIC UMSP); California, Imperial Co., Walters Camp Road, 5 – 6. V. 1985, R. Parks (1 ♂, SDNHM). See Wilson and Pitts (2008) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760DFFF3FF13FAB5E06EA06D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Sonora; USA: Arizona and California.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760DFFF3FF13FAB5E06EA06D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species is apparently limited to the eastern Sonoran Desert. The specimen from California was found near the Arizona border along the Colorado River.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFF1FF13FF59E6E0A481.taxon	description	(Figs 218 – 255, 287) Laminatilla Pitts, 2007: 35. Type species: Odontophotopsis lamellifera Schuster.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFF1FF13FF59E6E0A481.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females of Laminatilla can be recognized by the following combination of characters: mandible with large ventral tooth basally, antennal tubercle smooth and without transverse irregular carinae, mesosoma distinctively longer than wide, mesonotum with numerous distinctly plumose erect setae, T 6 convex with pygidial plate absent or weakly defined. MALE. Males of this genus can be immediately recognized by the unique mesosternal processes, which form laterally flattened triangular lamellae. Included species. Three species: two known from both sexes (L. bicornigera (Schuster, 1958); L. lamellifera (Schuster, 1958 )) and one known from males only (L. mixtoensis (Schuster, 1958 )).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFF1FF13FF59E6E0A481.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This genus was described by Pitts (2007) to include three species that were formerly included in Odontophotopsis. Females of two of these species are associated below, representing the first sex associations for the genus.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	description	(Figs 218 – 219, 222, 224, 226 – 227, 232 – 235, 244 – 247)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by having the pygidium with an apparent pygidial plate that is defined by lateral carina throughout the posterior half of T 6 (Fig. 224); additionally, the mandible has an indistinct tooth along the inner surface near mid-length (Fig. 222). Body length 6.5 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: antennal tubercle armed with dorsal tooth (Figs 232 – 234); mandible with large dorsal carina above apical teeth (Figs 232 – 234); mesosternal processes laterally flattened, somewhat transparent (Fig. 235), connected by transverse carina anteriorly; and legs pale yellow-brown, lighter than body color (Figs 226 – 227). Body length 11 – 15 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Body length 6.5 mm. Coloration. Body uniformly brown, except legs and antennae somewhat lighter yellow-brown. Body setae uniformly pale whitish, except mesosomal dorsum and T 2 disc with darker brown setae. Head. Head width 0.9 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.8 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded, elongated posteriorly; frons and vertex with deep contiguous punctures. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.35 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.7 × eye height, vertex height 1.3 × eye height, interocular distance 1.95 × eye height. Clypeus with longitudinal mesal carina. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically, with obscure third inner tooth near mandibular midpoint; dorsal basal carina continuous nearly to inner apical tooth; ventrally with large acute tooth basally. Antennal scrobe without dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle smooth, tubercles separated. F 1 length 2.1 × pedicel length; F 2 1.8 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.2 × width; mesosomal length 0.9 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.7 × T 2 width. Humeral carina not reaching epaulet dorsally; humeral corner with blunt angular tubercle; epaulet tubercle slightly smaller than humeral tubercle; lateral pronotal sculpture deeply punctate with thick cariniform intervals; setae distinctly plumose. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate-punctate, intervals mostly shagreened; setae interspersed erect long brachyplumose and shorter distinctly plumose; with apparent transverse arcuate carinae in scutellar area. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 70: 89: 100: 100: 91: 90. Vertical mesopleural ridge scarcely differentiated from coarsely areolate and densely setose mesopleuron and metapleuron. Propodeum areolate throughout with densely plumose setae; dorsal, lateral, and posterior propodeal surfaces not well differentiated. Metasoma. T 1 shape petiolate, width 0.4 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc deep areolate; disc setae erect plumose and brachyplumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with high punctate longitudinal carina. T 2 length 0.9 × width; disc convex with deep dense to separated punctures, intervals shagreened; disc setae interspersed long erect brachyplumose and short erect plumose; T 2 fringe setae dense plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.3 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.6 × T 2 length. T 3 – 5 disc setae interspersed long erect brachyplumose and short erect plumose; fringes dense plumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, lacking defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Baja California Sur, 2 mi. E of El Coyote, NE of La Paz, near ocean beach (1 ♀, CASC). An additional 12 males were examined from Baja California Sur, Mexico (EMEC, FSCA, UAIC, UMSP). See Pitts (2007) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Baja California Sur.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70760EFFEFFF13FA31E0DEA41D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. After discovery of the female of L. lamellifera (see below), this sex association became obvious based on similarity of this female to that of L. lamellifera and distribution in Baja California Sur, where only one species of Laminatilla is known. Furthermore, this female has a slight trace of an internal tooth at the midpoint of the mandible, approximating the morphology of the male’s mandible.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	description	(Figs 220 – 221, 223, 225, 228 – 229, 236 – 239, 248 – 251)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. This species can be recognized by having the pygidium convex without a defined pygidial plate (Fig. 225); additionally, the mandible is apically bidentate without a tooth along the inner surface near mid-length (Fig. 223). Body length 5 – 9 mm. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: antennal tubercle unarmed (Figs 236 – 238); mandible with dorsal carina relatively evenly curving toward apical teeth, not distinctly narrowed pre-apically (Fig. 238); mesosternal processes laterally flattened, somewhat transparent (Fig. 239), separated anteriorly; and legs pale yellow-brown, lighter than body color (Figs 228 – 229). Body length 10 – 16 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale brown, except legs and antennae somewhat lighter yellow-brown; and fringes of T 2 and S 2, and T 3 – 6 and S 3 – 6 entirely somewhat darker brown. Body setae uniformly pale whitish, except some specimens with mesosomal dorsum and T 2 disc with darker yelloworange to blackish-brown setae. Head. Head width 0.8 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.75 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded, elongated posteriorly; frons and vertex with deep contiguous punctures. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.3 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.6 × eye height, vertex height 1.0 × eye height, interocular distance 1.8 × eye height. Clypeus with longitudinal mesal carina. Gena sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae obliterated. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically, without third inner tooth near mandibular midpoint; dorsal carina more distinct basally, weakly continuous nearly to inner apical tooth; ventrally with large acute tooth basally. Antennal scrobe without dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle smooth or weakly shagreened, tubercles separated. F 1 length 2.0 × pedicel length; F 2 2.0 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.0 × width; mesosomal length 0.75 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.75 × T 2 width. Humeral carina not reaching epaulet dorsally; humeral corner with blunt angular tubercle; epaulet tubercle larger than humeral tubercle; lateral pronotal sculpture deeply punctate with thick cariniform intervals; setae distinctly plumose. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate-punctate, intervals mostly shagreened; setae interspersed erect long brachyplumose and shorter distinctly plumose; with apparent transverse arcuate carinae in scutellar area. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 58: 81: 95: 100: 86: 77. Vertical mesopleural ridge scarcely differentiated from coarsely areolate and densely setose mesopleuron and metapleuron. Propodeum areolate throughout with densely plumose setae; dorsal, lateral, and posterior propodeal surfaces not well differentiated. Metasoma. T 1 shape petiolate, width 0.45 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc deep areolate; disc setae erect brachyplumose and plumose; fringe setae plumose. S 1 with raised punctate longitudinal ridge. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc convex with deep dense to separated punctures, intervals smooth; disc setae interspersed long erect brachyplumose and short erect plumose; T 2 fringe setae dense plumose; T 2 felt line ovate, 0.4 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.7 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture as in T 2. T 3 – 5 disc setae interspersed long erect brachyplumose and short erect plumose; fringes dense plumose. Pygidium smooth, convex, lacking defined pygidial plate.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Sinaloa, 5 mi N Mazatlan, 27. VII. 1964, J. A. Chemsak and J. Powell (1 ♂, CSCA); USA, Arizona, Cochise Co., Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, (1 ♀, CSCA); Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge, coll. W. Radke: 18. V. 2004 (1 ♀, DGMC); 20. V. 2005 (1 ♀, DGMC); 4. V. 2009 (1 ♀, DGMC); 16. VI. 2009 (1 ♀, DGMC); coll. E. E. and K. A. Williams: 20 – 21. VII. 2020 (3 ♂, CSCA EMUS); 7 – 8. VIII. 2021 (2 ♂, CSCA EMUS); 17 – 18. VI. 2022 (3 ♂, CSCA EMUS); Coconino Co., Grand Canyon National Park, Colorado River mi 43, 4. VI. 1998, S. Morgan (1 ♂ 1 ♀, EMUS); Graham Co., Gillespie Wash, 30 km S Safford, 15 – 16. VI. 2022, E. E. and K. A. Williams (2 ♂, CSCA); Mohave Co., Lime Kiln Canyon Road, 7.2 mi. SE Virgin River (1 ♀, CSCA); Pima Co.: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Alamo Canyon trailhead, 2 – 12. V. 2006, M. E. Irwin (2 ♂, CSCA); Alamo Canyon, Ajo Mountains, V. 1987, Olson and Mall (4 ♀, CSCA UAIC); Watermann Mountains, VII. 1988, Mall et al. (5 ♀, CSCA UAIC); Santa Cruz Co., 5 mi. SW Patagonia (1 ♀, AMNH). An additional 40 males were examined from Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico (CASC, CSCA, EMUS, FSCA, UAIC, UMSP). See Pitts (2007) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Sinaloa * and Sonora; USA: Arizona and New Mexico.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707610FFEDFF13FA4CE615A479.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association was initially suggested by discovery of a male and female collected in the same pitfall trap from the Grand Canyon National Park. The putative females are similar in size and coloration to males. Furthermore, both sexes have similarities in the large ventral mandibular tooth, elongate petiolate T 1 shape, and undefined pygidium. They also have denser and shaggier plumose setae on the body than most other genera. Finally, females and males were found from the same locality multiple times in Arizona, including Alamo Canyon in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Pima County and Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge, Cochise County.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707612FFEAFF13FA68E60EA67A.taxon	description	(Figs 230 – 231, 240 – 243, 252 – 255)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707612FFEAFF13FA68E60EA67A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Unknown. MALE. This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: antennal tubercle unarmed (Figs 240 – 241); mandible with dorsal carina raised near midpoint (Fig. 242), mandible distinctly narrowed apically (Figs 240 – 241); mesosternal processes thicker and somewhat conical, not transparent (Fig. 243), separated anteriorly; and legs brown, basically concolorous with body color (Figs 230 – 231). Body length 13 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707612FFEAFF13FA68E60EA67A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Guerrero, 14 km SW Xochipala, 1770 m, 30. VI. 1982, J. E. Rawlins (1 ♂, CMNH). See Pitts (2007) for additional records.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707612FFEAFF13FA68E60EA67A.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Guerrero and Puebla.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707612FFEAFF13FA68E60EA67A.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species is apparently rare; only two specimens are known in the literature (Pitts 2007) and only one additional specimen was examined in this study. When eventually collected, the female should be easy to associate with a male, because L. mixtoensis occurs outside the range for any other known Laminatilla species.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707617FFE8FF13FF59E282A6D7.taxon	description	(Figs 256 – 269)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707617FFE8FF13FF59E282A6D7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females can be recognized by the combination of these two characters: mandible basally with small sharp dorsal tooth and large ventral tooth (Fig. 258), and gena margined with moderately distinct carina. The following characters are also useful for identification: T 1 shape narrowly petiolate; mesosomal dorsum without short bushy plumose setae; T 2 disc with sculpture coarsely areolate baso-mesally without raised tubercles, posterior half with small sparse punctures; pygidial plate triangular with microreticulate sculpture (Fig. 259). MALE. This genus can be immediately recognized by the mesosternal armature, which consists of a small posteriorly directed digitiform process placed approximate to the mesocoxae. The following diagnostic features are also useful: mandible apically tridentate with large ventral tooth basally (Fig. 263 – 264); hypopygium with baso-lateral longitudinal carina; hypopygium flattened with posterior margin weakly emarginated or truncate mesally. Included species. Only the type species, Sc. barghesti, which is known from both sexes.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707617FFE8FF13FF59E282A6D7.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This genus was erected for a single species based on a single specimen collected in 1969 (Pitts 2003). Since its description, no additional specimens have been examined in loans from various museums (KAW, JPP, pers. obs.). In 2016, KAW collected the first recent specimens of the genus. In subsequent expeditions, over 120 specimens were collected at the same site by KAW, including the first known females in the genus. Based on the male mandible and hypopygium structure, this genus was recognized as a close relative of Acrophotopsis and Dilophotopsis. The female mandible structure confirms their relatedness; the presence of a sharp dorsal tooth and large ventral tooth in the basal third of the mandible is an apparent synapomorphy for these three genera. Furthermore, Schusterphotopsis has its ITS 1 sequences more similar to Acrophotopsis and Dilophotopsis than to any other genus (Fig. 1).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	description	(Figs 256 – 269)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. As for genus. Body length 4.6 – 5.0 mm. MALE. As for genus. Body length 8 – 13.5 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	description	Description. Female (hitherto unknown). Coloration. Body uniformly pale orange-brown, except legs and antennae somewhat lighter yellow-brown. Body setae entirely silvery, except mesonotum and T 2 disc with sparse pale orange appressed setae. Head. Head width 0.9 × mesonotal width; vertex width 0.8 × mesonotal width. Frons convex; vertex rounded; frons and vertex coarsely areolate-punctate. Eye large, ovate, in lateral view, height 1.35 × width; in anterior view, inner eye margins sub-parallel, malar space 0.6 × eye height, vertex height 1.0 × eye height, interocular distance 2.15 × eye height. Clypeus with distinct basomesal tubercle. Genal sculpture areolate; genal and postgenal carinae distinct, somewhat interrupted by surrounded punctures. Mandible oblique, bidentate apically; dorsal basal carina terminating in small sharp tooth in basal third; ventrally with large, rounded tooth basally. Antennal scrobe with surrounding sculpture coarse, approximating interrupted dorsal carina. Antennal tubercle mostly smooth, forming indistinct oblique shelf margined by weak carina. F 1 length 1.8 × pedicel length; F 2 1.65 × pedicel length. Mesosoma. Mesosomal length 1.1 × width; mesosomal length 0.95 × T 2 length; mesosomal width 0.85 × T 2 width. Humeral carina not reaching epaulet dorsally; epaulet placed on moderately sharp tubercle; humeral corner angular in dorsal view; lateral pronotal sculpture areolate with intervals largely obliterated posteriorly leaving large smooth area; setae sparse, brachyplumose. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely areolate, intervals reduced to carinae and scattered tubercles; setae interspersed erect and appressed brachyplumose; lacking scutellar scale or defined transverse arcuate carinae. Ratio of transverse distances, in dorsal view, between epaulets, humeral angles, anterior spiracles, widest lateral mesonotal margins, propodeal spiracles, and posterolateral propodeal corners 76: 87: 101: 100: 85: 74. Vertical mesopleural ridge with coarse areolations; metapleuron and mesopleuron (posterior to ridge) smooth with few scattered setae. Propodeum areolate dorsally, evenly rounded into posterior face with shallower areolations; lateral propodeal surface smooth, differentiated by irregular carina. Metasoma. T 1 shape narrowly petiolate, widest apically, apical width 0.45 × T 2 maximum width; T 1 disc areolate; disc setae interspersed short plumose and long brachyplumose; fringe plumose. S 1 with blunt longitudinal carina. T 2 length 1.0 × width; disc areolate antero-mesally with many longitudinal intervals cariniform, becoming sparsely punctate with flat intervals posteriorly; disc setae interspersed appressed simple and erect brachyplumose setae; fringe plumose; T 2 felt line linear, 0.3 × T 2 length; posterior felt line edge terminating at 0.65 × T 2 length. S 2 sculpture similar to posterior half of T 2, with baso-medal longitudinal punctate ridge. T 3 – 5 disc with interspersed appressed short and erect long simple to brachyplumose setae; fringe setae plumose. Pygidial plate triangular, basal width 1.2 × medial width, maximum length 0.9 × maximum width; sculpture coarse microreticulate; lateral carinae simple.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. USA, California, San Bernardino County, Cactus Flats, 20 km SE Lucerne Valley, 34.313 - 116.806, 1835 m, E. E. and K. A. Williams: 2 – 3. VII. 2016 (12 ♂, CSCA EMUS); 29 – 31. VII. 2016 (2 ♀ 2 ♂, CSCA EMUS); 23 – 24. VI. 2017 (114 ♂, CSCA EMUS).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	distribution	Distribution. USA: California (San Bernardino County).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707616FFE7FF13FF59E239A0A5.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The sex association was originally hypothesized based on similarity of the females to members of the genera Acrophotopsis and Dilophotopsis. It was then confirmed by the identical ITS 1 sequences of a male and female (Fig. 1).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707618FFE4FF13FE15E61BA271.taxon	description	(Figs 270 – 282)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707618FFE4FF13FE15E61BA271.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. Females can be recognized by their coloration, having the body entirely pale orange-brown exept for the two separated black cuticular patches on the T 2 disc (Figs 270 – 271). Additionally, the following characters are also present: mandible without ventral tooth basally; mesonotum with simple and brachyplumose setae only; T 1 shape narrowly sub-sessile; T 2 with coarse areolation, at least basally; and T 6 convex without defined pygidial plate. MALE. Males can be recognized by their absence of wings and coloration (Figs 274 – 275): the body entirely pale orange-brown exept for the two separated black cuticular patches on the T 2 disc. The following characters are also useful for diagnosis: mandible with ventral tooth indistinct or absent; mesosternal area armed with large posteriorly-directed triangular tooth on each side; mid-tibia cylindrical with two spurs; and hypopygium wider than long with truncate or weakly convex posterior margin. Included species. Only the type species, Stethophotopsis maculata Pitts, 2000, which is known from both sexes.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B707618FFE4FF13FE15E61BA271.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In 2023, two specimens of St. maculata were collected by KAW and the ITS 1 sequence was amplified and sequenced. Pitts & McHugh (2000) suggested that the closest relative of Stethophotopsis was Acanthophotopsis. The distance tree presented here (Fig. 1) supports that hypothesis. In this tree, Stethophotopsis is nested within Acanthophotopsis. We retain Stethophotopsis as a discrete genus, however, for a few reasons. First, this is a distance tree and not a phylogenetic reconstruction, so inferences about monophyly or paraphyly could be misleading. Second, by raw genetic distances, St. maculata is more distant from its “ sister ” A. evansi than the two included Acanthophotopsis species are from one another. Finally, there are morphological differences between the genera, especially in the wingless nature and mid-tibial morphology of males. Further analyses in the future may provide evidence to sink Stethophotopsis within Acanthophotopsis, but we retain them as discrete genera in this study.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70761BFFE5FF13FC60E045A1F9.taxon	description	(Figs 270 – 282)	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70761BFFE5FF13FC60E045A1F9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. FEMALE. As for genus. Body length 6.5 – 9 mm. MALE. As for genus. Body length 7 – 10 mm.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70761BFFE5FF13FC60E045A1F9.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. MEXICO, Sinaloa, Los Mochis, VI. 1922 (1 ♀ CASC); USA, Arizona, Cochise Co.: Mescal Road, 2.8 mi N I- 10, 32.002 - 110.433, 15 – 24. VIII. 2023, LED pitfall trap, K. Williams and A. Nguyen (1 ♂ 1 ♀, CSCA); San Pedro River, near Highway 90, 7 mi. E Sierra Vista, 6. VIII. 2024, Yunfan Zhang (3 ♀ 1 ♂, YZPC).	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70761BFFE5FF13FC60E045A1F9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Mexico: Sinaloa and Sonora; USA: Arizona.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
97295B70761BFFE5FF13FC60E045A1F9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Until recently, the preferred habitat and distribution of St. maculata was poorly understood. The two specimens from Arizona are from imprecise localities that span numerous microhabitats (Pitts & McHugh 2000). Brown Canyon Road in Santa Cruz County, Arizona spans over 10 km and rises from roughly 1000 m in elevation to 1450 m. Madera Canyon spans an elevational range of 1200 m to 1700 m in about 5 km. Both sites feature numerous differences in soil type, plant assemblages, vegetative density, and microhabitat. In August 2023, KAW collected one male and one female specimen in a pitfall trap from near Mescal, Arizona. These are the first recorded specimens from a precise georeferenced locality and the northernmost records for this genus and species. They came from an open habitat dominated by sparse short mesquite trees and bunch grasses with predominantly decomposed granite soil (Fig. 283); the elevation at the site was 1240 m. Future efforts to collect Stethophotopsis in Madera Canyon or Brown Canyon would likely bear more results in sparsely vegetated habitats at lower elevations. Although this genus belongs to the nocturnal velvet ant tribe, it has been presumed to be diurnal because of the bright coloration. Until now, the only known specimens either did not mention a collecting method or were collected with passive methods. The pitfall traps used to collect the aforementioned recent specimens (Fig. 283) were equipped with a solar LED light, so they collect both diurnal and nocturnal mutillids. In another recent collecting event in 2024, YZ observed and collected a series of St. maculata near the San Pedro River, east of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Multiple females were observed during daylight in the afternoon along with other diurnal species, including Dasymutilla foxi (Cockerell), D. eminenti a Mickel, D. gloriosa (Saussure), and Pseudomethoca praeclara (Blake). A single male was also collected around the base of a bush at the same time window. The locality of this series was separate from the riparian habitat of San Pedro River, in open shrubland at approximately 1235 m of elevation. The discovery of these specimens actively walking in daylight along with other diurnal species reveals that the species is diurnal, rather than its nocturnal relatives.	en	Williams, Kevin A., Pitts, James P., Parikh, Grishma R., Cambra, Roberto A., Zhang, Yunfan, Bartholomay, Pedro R. (2025): Diagnostic review of the Sphaeropthalmini (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) of Central and North America, Part 1: minor nocturnal genera. Zootaxa 5702 (1): 1-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5702.1.1
