Ectopimorpha Viereck, 1912
Ectopimorpha is a small genus (9 Nearctic species) of medium-sized wasps that belong to the Amblyteles genus-group. Ectopimorpha generally resembles Diphyus but species of the former genus are smaller and more elongate. The primary differences separating the two are that Ectopimporha species often have a smoother postpetiole (always distinctly longitudinally striate in Diphyus versus smooth or weakly striate as in Ectopimorpha), almost entirely obsolete to linear gastrocoeli (small but normal shaped in Diphyus), and most importantly, a laterally compressed metasomal apex in females.
Structurally, Limerodops is also quite similar to Ectopimorpha in that both share the generally elongated metasoma and amblypygous, laterally compressed female metasoma. Nearctic species can easily be distinguished though, as Limerodops are dark colored with brownish-red or brownish-orange legs, and Ectopimorpha females are typically overall brownish-red and males are black with yellow-banding on the metasoma. Limerodops males also have enlarged gonoforceps compared to Ectopimorpha.
The most commonly observed/ collected species is Ectopimorpha wilsoni, which is easily identified based on the yellow mark on the metasomal apex of the female. Males of this species are more difficult to identify and should be done so based on structural characters as they could be misidentified as Ichneumon of Diphyus based on coloration.
Diagnosis
- head narrow and slightly tapering ventrally
- body elongated, particularly evident in the metasoma
- postpetiole smooth to weakly longitudinally striate
- thyridia obsolete and gastrocoeli obsolete or small, narrow, and linear
- female with metasomal apex amblypygous and laterally compressed