Gonatocerus Nees 1834

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).