My major research interests are the phylogenetic relationships, classification and evolution of Hymenoptera, especially the wasp family Vespidae, the evolution of insects, and the methodology of phylogenetic inference.
Stethophotopsis, a new genus of Sphaeropthalminae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) from Arizona.
Pitts, J.P. Schusterphotopsis, a new genus of Sphaeropthalmini (Mutillidae: Sphaeropthalminae) from California, with notes on the closely related genera Acrophotopsis Schuster and Dilophotopsis Schuster clade.
After Rhopalosomatidae was elevated to family status, Pompilidae was thought to be most closely related to Rhopalosomatidae due to previously conceived notions regarding generic placements.
Brothers (1975) published the first phylogenetic analysis of the aculeate Hymenoptera, giving special attention to Mutillidae.
Brothers and Carpenter (1993) reinterpreted Brothers’ original data using parsimony algorithms unavailable at the time the phylogeny was first published.
Velvet ants (Mutillidae) - MavicaNET(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
Describes and illustrates diagnositc characters for the family Mutillidae.
The Mutillidae, a medium sized family of several thousands of wasps all of which are parastes on other insects mostly other solitary aculeates.
The females are all wingless and their is
no apparent division between the thorax and the abdomen, whereas the males are winged and more conventionally shaped with larger eyes.
Cölln K. and Jakubzik A., 1999 - Hymenoptera Aculeata der Keuper-Scharren südwestilch der Hungerburg (Mutillidae, Myrmosidae, Sapygidae, Tiphiidae, Pompilidae, Sphecidae et Apidae).
Kuhlmann M., Retzlaff H. and Wolf H., 1990 - Zur Hautflüglerfauna (Hymenoptera) der Senne I. Chrysididae, Tiphiidae, Mutillidae, Formicidae, Vespidae (Insektenfauna und Ökologie der Binnendünen in der südlichen Senne.
Research interests mainly in biology and systematics of "lower" aculeate Hymenoptera (speciallyMutillidae, Bradynobaenidae, Scolebythidae and Plumariidae), evolution and fossil record of Hymenoptera (specially Aculeata), and principles and practice of biological systematics.
Lack of congruence between morphological and molecular data in reconstructing the phylogeny of the Galagonidae.
Depending upon the species, the developing Velvet Ant brood will feed upon the larvae of the wasp or bee, or the stockpile of food left for the unsuspecting wasp or bee.
In California, we have about 100 species of Mutillidae, most of which are nocturnal and live in our deserts.
ant.mainframe(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
Both true ants (the family Formicidae) and velvet ants (Family Mutillidae) are in the Hymenoptera order (bees, ants, wasps, sawflies), but velvet ants are distinct behaviorly and also morphologically.
Velvet ants are NOT social and their body (especially for the females) is covered in hairs.
Most Mutillidaespecies reside in hot semiarid climates but avoid the heat of the middle of the day by burrowing underground or simply crawling under a plant.
Velvet Ant(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-04)
The velvet ant larvae kills and eats the host bee/wasp pupa.
Correction: March, 2002 - David Shappirio, Professor Emeritus of Biology, University of Michigan, was kind enough to send a note regarding the earlier misidentification of this western species of Mutillidae.
