Gonatocerus, Nees, 1834

Huber, John T., Read, Jennifer D. & Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2021, Illustrated key to the genera and catalogue of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) in the Afrotropical region, Zootaxa 5036 (1), pp. 1-166 : 30

GONATOCERUS Nees, 1834

( Figs 150–156 )

Gonatocerus Nees, 1834: 192 . Type species: Gonatocerus longicornis Nees, 1834 , by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Gonatocerus is distinguished from other members of Gonatocerini by the following combination: vertex with 2 setae between lateral ocelli ( Fig. 150 ); pronotum divided medially by longitudinal suture and the lobes abutting medially except sometimes slightly separated dorsally ( Fig. 153 ); fore wing relatively narrow, with apex evenly rounded, and with microtrichia usually as dense behind venation as beyond venation ( Fig. 152 ); stigmal vein with apex usually slightly oblique ( Fig. 152 ); dorsellum diamond-shaped ( Fig. 153 ); propodeum with faint, converging sublateral lines, or lines absent; pronotal spiracle about same size as propodeal spiracle ( Fig. 154 ); ovipositor not produced anteriorly under mesosoma ( Figs 155, 156 ).

Discussion. Gonatocerus belongs to the Gonatocerus group of genera, treated formally as Gonatocerini by Huber (2015). In the Afrotropical region this group also includes Cosmocomopsis , Heptagonatocerus , Lymaenon , Octomicromeris , Tanyxiphium and Zeyanus . Gonatocerus is not as easy to characterize as the other genera in the group. Useful features that help distinguish Gonatocerus species are: female antenna with fu 2 and fu 3 slightly the longest funicle segments and apex of fu 2 oblique. The dorsellum margin may be lighter in colour than the central area of the dorsellum.

Afrotropical hosts. Unknown.

Important reference. Huber (2015).

Figures

FIGURES 150–152. Gonatocerus sp. 150, head, anterior; 151, antenna; 152, wings. Scale bars: 150 = 100 μm; 151, 152 = 200 μm.

FIGURES 153, 154. Gonatocerus sp. 153, mesosoma, dorsal; 154, mesosoma, lateral. Scale bars = 100 μm.

FIGURES 155, 156. Gonatocerus spp. 155a, metasoma, dorsal; 155b, genitalia seen through gaster; 156, metasoma, lateral. Scale bars = 200 μm.