Exephanes Wesmael, 1845
Exephanes is a small and somewhat difficult genus to identify, particularly the males. The primary distinguishing feature is the female metasoma which is laterally compressed apically. But unlike Ectopimorpha or Limerodops, it varies between amblypygous and semiamblypygous and the ovipositor sheaths are wider than is typical in Ichneumonini. The smooth to weakly longitudinally striate postpetiole the small, subobsolete gastrocoeli, and entirely abesent thyridia are also notable diagnostic characters for Exephanes.
Since the genus is largely recognized based on females, males are more difficult to identify and could possibly be confused for a number of different genera. Males resemble Cratichneumon, but the complete lack of thyridia and the smoother postpetiole easily distinguishes Exephanes males. Ectopimorpha and Limerodops males are also very similar, but Exephanes males are not nearly as elongated and do not have enlarged gonoforceps as in Limerodops.
In the western U.S., Exephanes californicus is fairly common and widespread.
Interestingly, the male of E. subfulvus is unknown but Heinrich (1961) suggests that it may be similar to E. californicus
Biology
The hosts of Nearctic species are unknown, but Nearctic Exephanes likely attack the larvae of grass-boring owlet moths (Noctuidae) as in the European species. Adult females hibernate in winter and apparently sometimes do so gregariously. Gerd Heinrich (1961) reported finding 50 specimens hibernating together in a rotten stump or log. In Green Canyon in northern Utah, two females were found hibernating under a burned juniper log in late April (Claridge personal observation).
Diagnosis
- first metasomal segment (first segment of apparent abdomen) with postpetiole usually granulate or infrequently smooth
- thyridia narrow and pushed back from anterior margin of second tergite
- anterior margin of propodeum without medial process
- female metasomal apex oxypygous
- propodeum without anterior medial process