A study of Sphaeropthalma Blake from the southwestern USA has revealed a highly autapomorphic undescribed species. This species is described here as S. tapio Pitts & Sadler, sp. nov., and is placed in a new species-group, the S. tapio species-group. This species seems to be found only at higher altitudes in southern Arizona. It is compared to other similar Sphaeropthalma species-groups and is likely most closely related to members of the S. imperialis species-group. An updated species-group classification of Sphaeropthalma is provided.

The stings of bees, wasps, and ants are something that catches the attention of anyone that experiences them. While many recent studies have focused on the pain inflicted by the stings of various stinging wasps, bees, or ants (Hymenoptera: Aculeata), little is known about how the length of the sting itself varies between species. Here, we investigate the sting length of a variety of aculeate wasps, and compare that to reported pain and toxicity values. We find that velvet ants (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) have the longest sting compared to their body size out of any bee, wasp, or ant species. We also find that there is no link between relative sting length and pain; however, we did find an inverse relationship between relative sting length and toxicity with taxa having shorter relative stings being more toxic. While we found a significant relationship between host use and relative sting length, we suggest that the long sting length of the velvet ants is also related to their suite of defenses to avoid predation.

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The previously unknown male of Aplochares imitator (Smith), the type species of the genus, is associated with the female and described. Aplochares imitator provides another case of dual sex-limited mimicry. The coloration of the male of A. imitator is similar to that of both sexes of A. adrastes Banks, while the coloration of the female of A. imitator matches that of several species of other unrelated Hymenoptera. A key to both sexes of Aplochares is provided along with illustrations of the two species.

The diversity of nocturnal velvet ants at Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) is investigated along with seasonal activity. The diversity of velvet ants found at JTNP is compared to the diversity of velvet ants found at the Algodones Sand Dunes, Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the Nevada Test Site. Diagnoses and a key are provided for the velvet ants of JTNP. Forty-one species in six genera, based on 10,202 specimens collected from a transect of 14 sampling sites transitioning from the Mojave to the Sonoran deserts, are found to inhabit areas in and around the park. Odontophotopsis dalyi, O. odontoloxia and Photomorphus schoenwerthi are described as new species. Odontophotopsis (Odontophotopsis) ambigua Mickel (1983) is a junior synonym of O. delodonta Viereck (1904), new synonym. The females of too few of the species are known, so only the males are treated. A key to all of the species and illustrations for those species not previously illustrated are provided for the males.