Odontophotopsis

Viereck, 1903

Odontophotopsis is a of () established by Viereck in 1903. in this genus are of other , with documented associations including crabronid . The genus includes the O. unicornis species-group, which diversified during the Pleistocene approximately 1 million years ago. Females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess .

Odontophotopsis melicausa by (c) Alessandro Franchini, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alessandro Franchini. Used under a CC-BY license.

Odontophotopsis dentifera by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Odontophotopsis mellicausa piceipes by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Odontophotopsis: //oʊˌdɒn.toʊˈfoʊ.toʊˌsɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Odontophotopsis can be distinguished from other by characteristics of the mandibular , as suggested by the genus name (from Greek odont- "" and Photopsis, a related genus). Females lack and have a compact, -like body form typical of female mutillids. Males possess wings and exhibit more slender body proportions. -level identification requires examination of genitalic structures and other detailed morphological features.

Images

Habitat

Arid and desert-adapted environments in North America. Associated with open, dry where nesting occurs.

Distribution

North America, with records from California and other western states. distributions span arid regions of the continent.

Host Associations

Oxybelus uniglumis - Specimens of O. succinea eclosed from of this crabronid in Davis, California

Life Cycle

Larval development occurs within . The larval stage has been described for O. succinea based on exuvium. and from host cocoons has been documented.

Behavior

targeting nesting . Females are ground-active and search for nests. Males are winged and likely engage in mate-searching .

Ecological Role

of other , particularly Crabronidae. Acts as a regulator of in arid .

Similar Taxa

PhotopsisClosely related from which Odontophotopsis was distinguished; Odontophotopsis differs in mandibular
DasymutillaAnother large with wingless females; Odontophotopsis generally differ in body proportions and mandibular structure
Sphaeropthalma with similar female ; distinguished by genitalic and other detailed structural features

More Details

Pleistocene Diversification

The O. unicornis -group (including O. unicornis and O. erebus) represents a rare example of Pleistocene-age species-level divergence in desert-adapted North , estimated at approximately 1 million years ago. This contrasts with the more common pattern of late Neogene diversification in arid-adapted .

Taxonomic History

O. annulata Baker was synonymized with O. succinea Viereck based on examination. The female of O. unicornis was first associated with its male using molecular data, representing an important advance in where sexes are often described separately.