Traumatomutilla incerta ( Spinola, 1841 )

Bartholomay, Pedro R., Williams, Kevin A., Cambra, Roberto A., Lopez, Vinícius M. & Oliveira, Marcio L., 2025, Revision of the Traumatomutilla quadrinotata species-group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae, Sphaeropthalminae): new synonyms, sex associations, and a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, European Journal of Taxonomy 995, pp. 1-75 : 29-36

Traumatomutilla incerta ( Spinola, 1841)

Figs 8–9

Mutilla incerta Spinola, 1841: 93 .

Mutilla dentata Smith, 1879: 219 . Syn. nov.

Mutilla sodalicia Kohl, 1882: 490 . Syn. nov.

Traumatomutilla weyrauchi Mickel, 1945: 30 .

Traumatomutilla dignitosa Mickel, 1952: 131 . Syn. nov.

Traumatomutilla tabatinga Casal, 1969: 287 . Syn. nov.

Ephuta (Traumatomutilla) sodalicia – André 1902: 56.

Traumatomutilla sodalicia – André 1902: 40.

Mutilla incerta – André 1902: 73 (incertae sedis).

Traumatomutilla incerta – Mickel 1937: 196.

Traumatomutilla dentata – Nonveiller 1990: 77.

Diagnosis

Female

Occipital carina slightly but conspicuously swollen dorsolaterally; anterolateral carinae present in scutellar area, partially obscured by dense setation; lateral surface of propodeum predominantly smooth and shining, sculpture sparse; mesonotum with transverse band of silvery-white setae on posterior half; T2 with a pair of reddish to orange integumental spots.

Male

Apex of cuspis with short setae; pronotum densely clothed with appressed silvery-white setae; pronotal sculpture with dense micropunctures.

Type material

Lectotype of Mutilla incerta

[ FRENCH GUYANA] • ♀; Cayenne; D. Lebas leg.; MSNT.

Holotype of Mutilla dentata

BRAZIL • ♂; [Amazonas], St Paul [São Paulo de Olivença]; NHMUK.

Holotype of Mutilla sodalicia

BRAZIL • ♀; Amaz. [sic]; NHMW.

Holotype of Traumatomutilla dignitosa

GUIANA • ♂; Bartica, Bartica District; Wm. Beebe leg.; UMSP.

Holotype of Traumatomutilla tabatinga

BRAZIL • ♀; Amazonas, Tabatinga; Nov. 1958; F.M. Oliveira leg.; AMNH.

Other material examined (68 ♀♀, 36 ♂♂)

BOLIVIA – Beni • 1 ♀; Dpto. [Department], 5 km NW of Rurenabaque ; 18 Sep. 1994; D. Roubik leg.; MIUP . – Cochabamba • 1 ♀; Region Chapare , 400 m [above sea level]; 20 Mar. 1907; Zischka; MNCN . – La Paz • 2 ♀♀; Yungas de Coroico ; 1914; MNHN. – Locality unknown • 1 ♀; Tumupasu ; 1921; W.M. Mann leg.; USNM .

BRAZIL – Amapá • 1 ♀; Oiapoque, (Retiro) Ambiente de mata; 23 Oct. 2001; J. Madson leg.; HAMAB • 1 ♀; Serra Lombard, Limão ; 26 Aug. 1961; J. and B. Bechyné leg.; MPEG. – Amazonas • 4 ♀♀; Manaus; RBINS • 1 ♀; Jul. 1962; F.M. Oliveira leg.; DZUP • 1 ♀; Manaus, Bairro Flores ; 13–20 Apr. 2009; D. Storck-Tonon leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Manaus, INPA 1 [Campus 1], Bosque da Ciência ; 3°05′50″ S, 59°59′16″ W; 10 Jun. 2017; M.A. Bento leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Manaus, Reserva Ducke, Trilha principal ; 3 Oct. 2016; G. Amora leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Manaus, Reserva Ducke ; 2.93308° S, 58.97116° W; 19 May 2012; Medeiros leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Manaus, Reserva Ducke ; 2°55′48″ S, 59°58′31″ W; 8 Jun. 2013; J.F. Saraiva leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Teffe [Tefé]; 5 Feb. 1920; H.S. Parish leg.; FMNH • 1 ♂; Tefé; 9 Sep. 1909; Ducke leg.; MNHN • 2 ♀♀; Tonantins, Amazon River ; Jul. 1923; S.M. Klages leg.; CM • 2 ♀♀; Aug. 1923; S.M. Klages leg.; CM • 1 ♀; Manacapuru, Amazon River ; Sep. 1923; S.M. Klages leg.; CM • 1 ♀; Estinao [Estirão do] Equador, Rio Javari ; M. Alvarenga leg.; AMNH . – Mato Grosso • 1 ♂; Sinop; 12°31′ S, 55°37′ W; Oct. 1975; F.M. Oliveira leg.; USU. – Pará • 3 ♀♀; MZSP • 1 ♀; Óbidos; Dec. 1965; Maller, A. leg.; DZUP • 1 ♀; Mar. 1958; USNM • 1 ♀; USNM • 1 ♀; Jul. 1959; MNRJ • 2 ♀♀; Santarém; RBINS • 1 ♂; MNHN • 1 ♀; 1923; SDEI • 1 ♂; Altér do Chão ; 12–13 Sep. 1991; J. Vidal leg.; INPA • 1 ♀; Oriximiná; 2 Sep. 1919; H.S. Parish leg.; FMNH • 2 ♂♂; Jacareacanga; Dec. 1968; M. Alvarenga leg.; AEIC • 8 ♂♂; Tucurui; Jan. 1979; M. Alvarenga leg.; AEIC . – Rondônia • 1 ♀; 62 km SE [kilometers southeast of] Ariquemes ; 17–24 Mar. 1989; W.J. Hanson leg.; USU • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 5–16 Nov. 1996; W.J. Hanson leg.; USU • 1 ♂; Ouro Preto d’Oeste; 20 Sep. 1987; Elias, C. leg.; DZUP .

COLOMBIA – Caquetá • 1 ♂; PNN [Parque Nacional Natural] Chiribiquete, Río Cuñare ; 0°30′ N, 72°37′ W; 300 m [above sea leve]; 1–5 Jun. 2000; E. González and M. Ospina leg.; FSCA • 1 ♂; Río Cuñare-Amu ; 0°13′ N, 72°25′ W; 300 m [above sea level]; 28 Feb.–3 Mar. 2001; M. Ospina and E. González leg.; USU . – Meta • 1 ♂; PNN [Parque Nacional Natural] Tinigua, Vda. [sic] Bajo Raudal ; 2°16′ N, 73°48′ W; 460 m [above sea level]; 1–15 Mar. 2003; C. Sánchez leg.; IAvH . – Putumayo • 1 ♂; Mocoa ; 4 Jul. 1978; M. Cooper leg.; NHMUK • 1 ♂; Santa Rosa, Kofan Indian village ; 10 Oct. 1970; B. Malkin leg.; FMNH • 1 ♂; PNN [Parque Nacional Natural] La Paya, Resguardo Cecílio Cocha ; 0°11′ S, 74°55′ W; 200 m [above sea level; 20–24 Jan. 2003; C. Sarmiento leg.; IAvH. – Locality unknown – 2 ♂♂; IAvH • 1 ♀; Rio Negro [sic], Ost Columb. [western Colombia]; MNCN

ECUADOR – El Oro • 1 ♀; 21–25 km E [east of] Atahualpa ; 27–31 Sep. 1997; F.T. Hovore leg.; UCDC • 1 ♀; 25 km E [east of] Atahualpa ; 1°00′ S, 78°00′ W; 1–6 Oct. 1997; F.T. Hovore leg.; USU . – Morona Santiago • 1 ♀; Santiago ; Feb. 1986; L. Coloma leg.; MIUP . – Napo • 1 ♀; Tiputini Biodiversity Station ; 20 Jul. 1999; M.J. Miller leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀; Archidona ; R. Haensch leg.; MNCN • 1 ♀; Misahualli, nr. [near] Tena ; 10 Jan. 1989; B.J. Nichols leg.; UMRM • 1 ♀; Misahualli, nr. [near] Tena ; 13–20 Jun. 1998; C. and K. Messenger leg.; UNSM • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 6–19 Oct. 2001; C. Brammer leg.; USU • 1 ♀; Río Aguarico ; Mar. 1992; E.S. Ross leg.; CASC . – Sucumbios • 1 ♂; Sucumbios River, Sacha Lodge ; 3–23 Jun. 1994; USU • 1 ♂; Río Napo, Sacha Lodge ; 00°30′ S, 76°30′ W; 220–230 m [above sea level]; 27 Aug.–10 Sep. 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; USU • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 13 Jul. 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; USU • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 270 m [above sea leve]; 13–25 Feb. 1994; P. Hibbs leg.; USU. – Locality unknown • 2 ♀♀; MNCN .

FRENCH GUIANA – Cayenne • 1 ♀; ZMUC • 1 ♀; Chavrein ; 1914; R. Benoist leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Gourdonville ; 1914; R. Benoist leg.; MNHN. – Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni • 1 ♀; Maroni, St [Saint] Laurent du Maroni; E. Le Moult; MNCN .

GUYANA – Cuyuni-Mazaruni • 1 ♂; Bartica: 1 Jun. 1924; AMNH • 1 ♀; Kartabo ; Jul–Aug. 1920; W.M. Wheeler; MCZ • 1 ♀; jct. [juncture] Cuyani/Mazaruni, Essequibo Rivers ; 1927; R.E. Fuglestad leg.; EMEC .

PERU – Huánuco • 1 ♀; Tingo Maria ; 3 Jan. 1970; J.C. Schuster leg.; FSCA • 2 ♂♂; 23 Oct. 1946; Pallister et al. leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; vic. [vicinity] Tingo Maria ; 1–5 Jun. 1999; W. Hanson and S. Keller leg.; USU • 2 ♂♂; Monson [Monzón] Valley ; 16 Nov. 1954; USU . – Junín • 1 ♀; Satipo ; 18 Jul. 1939; W.F. Walsh Jr leg.; MCZ . – Lima • 1 ♀; Valle Chanchamayo ; 1939; P. Vaquero leg.; UMSP • 2 ♀♀; 1914; MNHN • 2 ♀♀; S. Thamm leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; 21 Jul. 1949; J.M. Schunke leg.; NHMUK . – Loreto • 1 ♀; Amazon Camp, Río Momón, nr [near] Iquitos ; 1–10 Dec. 1982; E.S. Ross leg.; CASC . – Madre de Dios • 1 ♀; Pakitza; 23–28 Feb. 1992; B.V. Brown leg.; USNM • 2 ♀♀; Pakitza; Feb. 1992; R. Cambra leg.; MIUP • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Pakitza; 30 Jun.–4 Jul. 1993; R. Cambra leg.; MIUP . – Piura • 1 ♀; Santo Domingo; NHMUK .

SURINAME – Brokopondo • 1 ♂; Brownsberg Nature Park, Irene Val Trail ; 4°95′ N, 55°18′ W; 400 m [above sea level]; 25 Aug.–2 Sep. 2007; G. Kung and A. Kreuter leg.; USU .

VENEZUELA – Amazonas • 1 ♀; Alto Río Sialba ; 1°43′10″ N, 64°31′50″ W; 24–25 Feb. 1989; 510 m [above sea level]; T. Lattke leg.; FSCA .

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 13–20 mm.

HEAD. Posterior margin almost straight. Occipital slightly but conspicuously swollen dorsolaterally. Vertex width 0.8× pronotal width. Eye almost circular, its length in frontal view almost equal to distance from its ventral margin to mandibular condyle. Head sculpture partially concealed by dense setation, densely and finely foveolate-punctate with sharp intervals where visible. Genal carina well defined. Mandible oblique, tapering slightly towards apex with small subapical tooth. Dorsal scrobal carina present, well defined, narrowly separated from antennal tubercles and lateral scrobal carina. Antennal tubercle coarsely and irregularly rugose. Flagellomere 1 2.6× pedicel length; flagellomere 2 1.9× pedicel length.

MESOSOMA. Dorsal thoracic length 0.75 × maximum dorsal thoracic width. Mesosomal dorsum partially concealed by dense setation, densely and finely foveolate-punctate with sharp intervals where visible. Anterior surface of propodeum defined, short, almost as long as pronotal collar, finely striated longitudinally throughout with sparse interspersed fine punctures dorsad; dorsal surface rounded into anterior surface in lateral view. Humeral carina well defined, strongly projected dorsally, narrowly connected to conspicuously projected angulate epaulet; anterolateral corners of pronotum sharply angulate in dorsal view. Pronotal spiracle slightly projected from lateral margin of pronotum. Lateral surface of pronotum with sparse scattered punctures and dense micropunctures except at smooth conspicuous acute tubercle anteroventral in relation to pronotal spiracle; mesopleuron partially concealed by dense setation, densely micropunctate anteriorly, densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate on mesopleural ridge where visible; metapleuron completely concealed by dense setation, except small dorsal fourth unsculptured, smooth and shining. Lateral face of propodeum predominantly unsculptured, smooth and shining, with sparse scattered punctures. Ratios of width of humeral angles, pronotal spiracles, widest point of mesonotum, narrowest point of mesonotum and propodeum posterior to propodeal spiracles, 57: 84: 74:57: 58. Lateral margin of mesonotum conspicuously constricted anterior to propodeal spiracle, strongly diverging anterad, medially projected, into blunt process; post-mesonotal tubercle absent. Propodeal spiracle strongly projected from lateral margin of mesosoma; post-spiracular area indistinguishable. Scutellar scale present, as wide or wider than surrounding sculpture; anterolateral carinae present, vestigial, approximately twice as wide as scutellar scale; scutellar area with irregular intervals, not scabrous. Propodeum convex in lateral view, dorsal surface indistinguishable from posterior surface.

METASOMA. Ratios of width of T1, width of T2 and length of T2, 34: 73: 66. Disc of T2 mostly concealed by dense setation, densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate to punctate with dense, interspersed coarse micropunctures where visible; sculpture sparser and micropunctures absent laterally and over integumental spots. T3–5 sculpture predominantly concealed by dense setation, densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate to simply punctate with interspersed micropunctures where visible; micropunctures sparser on T4 and absent on T5; T6, except pygidial plate, almost concealed by dense setation, densely foveolate-punctate where visible. S1 sparsely, coarsely and confusedly foveolate-punctate, surface cuneiform, ending in short blunt longitudinal carina, slightly higher medially. S2 densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate, sculpture conspicuously sparser and smaller anteromediad; anteromedial crest-fold vestigial. S3–5 sculpture mostly concealed by dense setation, densely and finely foveolate-punctate with sparse micropunctures where visible; S6 sparsely foveolate-punctate. Pygidial plate subpyriform, defined by lateral carinae at apical third of plate; surface densely and irregularly rugose; interstice apparently granulose.

Male

BODY LENGTH. 14–18 mm.

HEAD. Transversely subrectangular with posterolateral angles rounded in dorsal view; lateral margins of head convergent immediately behind eyes, but not contiguous with eye outline in dorsal view. Vertex width 0.8× pronotal width. Eye almost circular. Ocelli small; OOD 3.6× DLO, IOD almost equal to DLO. Occipital carina distinct. Head surface sparsely and finely punctate; sculpture dense and coarser on frons. Gena ecarinate. Antennal scrobe concave to eye margin, with well-defined transverse dorsal scrobal carina. Clypeus concave laterally immediately below antennal insertion, conspicuously convex medially; densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate medially and along apical/ventral margin laterally; apical/ventral margin with a pair of medial short subacute teeth medially. Scape bicarinate. Flagellomere 1 1.7× pedicel length; flagellomere 2 2.1× pedicel length. Mandible obliquely tridentate apically, inner tooth larger than medial tooth; lacking dorsal or ventral projections.

MESOSOMA. Epaulets well defined, slightly projected from anterior margin of pronotum, separated from well-defined humeral carina, anterolateral corners of pronotum subrounded. Anterior surface of pronotum, sparsely and finely punctate with sparse micropunctures, except medioventrally smooth and shining; evenly flat throughout. Tegula convex, mostly glabrous and impunctate except for dense coarse punctures along inner and anterior margin. Dorsum of pronotum predominantly concealed by dense setation, densely and coarsely foveolate-punctate with interspersed micropuncutres where visible. Mesoscutum densely and finely foveolate-punctate, parapsis and notaulus present, reduced to posterior half of mesoscutum. Scutellum subquadrate to subglobose, with well-defined dorsal and posterior surfaces, elevated medially into longitudinal crest extending from anterior margin of dorsal fface to posterior surface, densely and coarsely areolate-punctate to foveolate-punctate. Axilla strongly produced transversely truncate projection, with inner margin slightly curved inward apicad in dorsal view; projection coarsely foveolate-punctate basad, unsculptured, smooth, shining apicad. Metanotum slightly wider laterad, its surface obscured by dense setation. Propodeal dorsum convex, sculpture of dorsal surface concealed by dense setation, posterior surface densely areolate; lateral surface densely areolate along posterior margin and dorsal third, almost unsculptured, smooth and shining elsewhere. Lateral surface of pronotum sparsely and vestigially punctate with sparse interspersed micropunctures; mesopleura with conspicuous blunt projection on dorsal half; sculpture densely and coarsely areolate with interspersed micropunctures to simply micropunctate anterad. Metapleuron partially mostly unsculptured, smooth and shining, except for vestigial rugosities on dorsal fifth and coarse areolateion on ventral fourth.

WINGS. Forewing with elongate sclerotized pterostigma; marginal cell elongated, roundly truncate apically; three submarginal cells.

LEGS. Simply setose, no strong spines discernible dorsally; spurs finely serrate on margins.

METASOMA. T1 0.5 × as wide as T2. T2 0.8× as long as wide. Dorsal metasomal sculpture, except pygidial plate, partially concealed by dense setation, densely and finely punctate with sparse interspersed micropunctures where visible; sculpture sparser and less defined in apical segments, denser posteromediad onT2; pygidial plate slightly longer than broad, weakly defined by parallel carinae apicolaterally; surface vestigially rugose, appearing smooth and sinning, except apical margin densely punctate and setose. S1 longitudinally elevated medially, terminating in slightly concave low longitudinal carina. S2 sparsely and finely foveolate-punctate to punctate; anteromedial crest-fold and sternal pit absent. S3–7 sparsely and finely foveolate-punctate to punctate; S7 longer than broad, posterior margin projected medially into closely bidentate apex.

GENITALIA. Parapenial lobe not at all pronounced apically, subacute. Ratios of free length of paramere, cuspis and digitus, 63: 51: 19. Paramere slightly sinuous and posteriorly outcurved in dorsal view, upcurved apically in lateral view, with inconspicuous sparse setae throughout, setae more evident on ventral surface. Cuspis elongate, slender, almost straight and conspicuously tapered posterad in dorsal view, slightly upcurved apically and equally wide throughout in lateral view, with short sparse inconspicuous setae apically, almost astose elsewhere. Paracuspis poorly developed, sessile, lobe-like, wider than long with flat dorsally sloping posterior margin, with sparse setae on posterior margin, setae as long as or longer than paracuspis length. Digitus slightly incurved in dorsal view and upcurved in lateral view, conspicuously narrower posterad in lateral view, with short inconspicuous setae on dorsal surface. Penis valve strongly concave on inner surface, with well-defined pair of acute teeth posteroventrally, with poorly-defined lateral pocket on outer margin, apical distance between teeth 0.1× length of valve, dense setae present along truncate posterior margin and inconspicuous setae present at base of anterior tooth on outer margin, setae on posterior margin longer ventrad, posterior margin sloping dorsad.

Coloration and variations

Female

Integument black, except mandibles and antennal flagellomeres partially reddish-brown, and T2 with two orange to reddish integumental spots. Spots vary in size and slightly in shape, from small (separated by half spot width) to large (almost confluent medially), and from almost perfectly circular to subcircular. Body setae predominantly silvery-white varying in density except the following areas usually with black setae varyin in density: ventral half of frons, gena, malar space, pronotum, anterior half of mesonotum, propodeum, T1 medially, disc of T2 (except over integumental spots), fringe of T2–3 medially, fringe of T4–5 sublaterally, T6 laterally, fringe of S5, and S6. Head setae varying from vestigial medial spot of silvery-white setae to entire head clothed with silvery-white setae. Some specimens may have the fringe of T3 entirely clothed with silvery-white setae and/or vestigial and scattered silvery-white setae on lateral margins of propodeal dorsum.

Male

Integument black to brownish-black. Body setae predominantly silvery-white varying in density except for the following areas with black setae varying in density: ventral hald of frons (interspersed with silvery-white), mesoscutum, axillar projection, dorsal surface of scutellum, disc of T2 (except anterior third), fringe of T2–3 medially, T4–7 (except pygidial plate and vestigial silvery-white setae laterally on T4–6), fringe of S5, and S6–7. Some specimens have the silvery-white setae areas conspicuously denser and usually the fringe of T2–3 entirely clothed with dense silvery-white setae. Wings dark brown with strong vioalceous and blueish reflections. Tibial spurs yellowish-white.

Distribution

Colombia (Putumayo, Caquetá and Meta), Venezuela (Amazonas), Surinam (Brokopondo), Guyana (Cuyuní-Mazaruní), French Guiana (Cayenne and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni), Brazil (Pará, Amapá, Amazonas, Rondônia, and Mato Grosso), Ecuador (El Oro, Napo, Morona Santiago, and Sucumbios), Peru (Madre de Dios, Loreto, Junín, Lima, Piura, and Huánuco) and Bolivia (Beni, La Paz, and Cochabamba).

Remarks

The sex association between T. incerta and T. dentata is evidenced by the distribution of both species which, to the best of our knowledge, are the sole representatives of the T. quadrinotata species-group in the northwestern Amazon Forest. Even though we were unable to access the lectotype of T. incerta , numerous specimens examined were identified as this species and compared with the type by Mickel who designated the lectotype ( Mickel 1937). The lectotype designation was later confirmed by Pagliano (2005), who also officially designated the paralectotypes for T. incerta and provided a photograph of said type. Close examination of T. dentata and T. dignitosa revealed that the difference between the axillar projections ( Mickel 1952) is not consistent; this, coupled with their almost identical genitalia characters, and only marginally different setal characters, is sufficient basis for synonymizing these males. Casal (1969) stated that T. tabatinga differed from T. weyrauchi (then a valid species) by having transverse irregular rugosities on the pygidial plate, which was the main difference between T. incerta and T. weyrauchi mentioned by Mickel (1945). Quintero & Cambra (1996a) studied a paratype of T. weyrauchi and concluded that it could not be distinguished from T. incerta . Therefore, the pygidial sculpture was shown to be inadequate for differentiating species.After examining the types of T. tabatinga and T. sodalicia , we conclude that these species are also synonymous with T. incerta and T. weyrauchi . They are all basically identical in structure, differing only in the size of the T2 integumental spots and the presence or absence of silvery-white setae on the head, with numerous intermediate specimens found between each form.

Figures

Fig. 8. A–C. Traumatomutilla sodalicia (Kohl, 1882), holotype, ♀ (NHMW). A. Dorsal habitus. B. Lateral habitus. C. Type labels. D–E. Traumatomutilla tabatinga Casal, 1969, holotype, ♀ (AMNH). D. Dorsal habitus.E. Type labels.F–G. Traumatomutilla incerta (Spinola, 1841), ♀ (non-type specimen), most common color form. F. Dorsal habitus. G. Lateral habitus. H. Traumatomutilla incerta (Spinola, 1841), ♀ (non-type specimen), color form with reduced silvery-white setae on head and mesosoma, dorsal habitus. Scale bars: A–B = 5 mm; D, F–H = 2 mm.

Fig. 9. Traumatomutilla dentata (Smith, 1879), holotype, ♂ (NHMUK). A. Lateral habitus. B. Genitalia (halved), dorsal view. C. Genitalia (halved), ventral view. D. Genitalia (halved, penis valve removed), lateral/inner view. E. Cuspis (removed, not to scale), lateral/inner view. F. Penis valve (removed, not to scale), lateral/outer view. G. Type labels. Scale bar = 2 mm.