Hoplismenus Gravenhorst, 1829
Hoplismenus is a small and easily recognized genus. In North America, there are only 5 species, though there may be several undescribed species. Hoplismenus morulus is quite common and can be identified solely based on its color. Less well-known species can be identified based on a combination of the diagnostic characters below. The first character to look for is the propodeum with spine-like apophyses, which is unusual among Nearctic ichneumonine genera. Hemihoplis, Plagiotrypes, and Rubicundiella also have projecting propodeum apophyses but lack one or more of the other diagnostic characters of Hoplismenus.
Diagnosis
- head in anterior view tapering ventrally
- mandible bidentate
- clypeus convex
- propodeum with small to medium-sized apophyses
- scutellum distinctly raised above postscutellum and usually laterally carinate