Rubicundiella Heinrich, 1961
Rubicundiella is a small genus of brownish-red wasps that are somewhat similar to genera like Barichneumon and Melanichneumon due to the punctate postpetiole and the medial protuberance on the anterior margin of the propodeum. In the overall habitus (at least of the females) and color, they generally resemble Barichneumon, but the males are much more elongate, and both sexes of Rubicundiella have the propodeal apophyses produced into small teeth. The postpetiole of Rubicundiella females is either longitudinally striate or predominantly smooth with some indications of fine striation. In males, the postpetiole is usually smooth and either weakly punctate and/or weakly striate. In contrast with Melanichneumon, males do not have well-developed bristle ridges on the flagellum.
While Rubicundiella can be easily distinguished as a genus, the species can be difficult to separate. There are at least a few undescribed species in the Nearctic. In the New World, Rubicundiella ranges at least south to Costa Rica.
Diagnosis
- anterior margin of propodeum with median tubercle
- overall brownish-red in color
- postpetiole longitudinally striate in females and in males, smooth with either some weak striation or sparsely punctate
- male flagellum without bristle-ridges
- female metasomal apex oxypygous