Sphaeropthalma pinalea
Schuster, 1958
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma pinalea is a of velvet ant in the Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1958. Like other members of this , the females are wingless and -like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is part of a diverse North American velvet ant fauna, with the genus Sphaeropthalma containing numerous species primarily distributed in western and southwestern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Sphaeropthalma pinalea: //ˌsfɛroʊfˈθælmə paɪˈneɪliə//
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Distribution
Known from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona. The broader Sphaeropthalma is distributed across western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast.
Similar Taxa
- Sphaeropthalma rataoskBoth belong to the same and share the characteristic wingless females and winged males typical of Mutillidae. Females of both species are -mimicking in appearance.
- Dasymutilla speciesAnother of velvet ants with similar ; females are wingless and often brightly colored or patterned, though Dasymutilla tend to be more conspicuously colored than many Sphaeropthalma.