Molecular phylogenetics reveals paraphyly in the New World velvet ant genus Pseudomethoca Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

The monophyly of the morphologically heterogeneous velvet ant genus Pseudomethoca Ashmead was investigated. A molecular phylogeny was reconstructed using the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2). The genus was recovered as paraphyletic. These results confirm the need for redefinition of the genus, transfer of species incorrectly placed in Pseudomethoca to other described genera, and description of new genera.