Patrocloides Heinrich, 1961
Patrocloides is a small genus that generally resembles Stenichneumon and the lesser-known genus Patroclus. All three genera share the ventrally tapering head; oblique, large gastrocoeli and thyridia; and usually dark coloration. Patrocloides is distinguished from Stenichneumon by the females amblypygous metasomal apex (oxypygous in Stenichneumon) and from Patroclus by the lack of strongly pectinate tarsi (pectination weak or absent in Patrocloides).
Two of the North American species, Patrocloides montanus and Patrocloides perluctuosus, are iridescent blue and could be confused with Coelichneumon, Ctenichneumon, or similarly colored Platylabus species. Patrocloides montanus is by far the most common species and can be accurately ID'd based solely on coloration and habitus.
Given the minor difference between Patrocloides and Stenichneumon, these two genera are undoubtedly related, and it would not be surprising if future phylogenomic work finds Patrocloides derived within Stenichneumon.
Diagnosis
- head tapering ventrally
- postpetiole varying between longitudinally rugulose to longtudinally striate
- gastrocoeli wide and deeply impressed and thyridia well-developed
- female metasomal apex amblypygous