Vulgichneumon Heinrich, 1961
Vulgichneumon is a moderate-sized, rather poorly defined genus that is generally similar to Barichneumon, Melanichneumon, and Virgichneumon. In North America, Vulgichneumon brevinctor and Vulgichneumon terminalis are both quite common and can be easily recognized based on coloration.
Structurally, Vulgichneumon is fairly difficult to recognize. It can mainly be done based on the smoother postpetiole (compared with Barichneumon and Melanichneumon) and the sexually dimorphic gastrocoeli and thyridia which are moderate-sized in both sexes but near the anterior margin in females and pushed further back in males (similar to the postition of the gastrocoeli and thyridia in Cratichneumon).
There are likely two undescribed species in North America: one around Mt. Ranier in Washington and one in southern Arizona.
Diagnosis
- anterior margin of propodeum with median tubercle
- postpetiole usually smooth or longitudinally striate, sometimes with sparse punctures but not nearly as dense as Barichneumon and Melanichneumon
- female flagellum not significantly widened subapically
- male flagellum with well-developed bristle ridges
- female metasomal apex oxypygous