Anisopygus Kriechbaumer, 1888

Anisopygus is a small, rare, and difficult to identify genus. There are two described Nearctic species and at least one undescribed species in southern California. All Nearctic species are black with yellow markings. Both sexes generally resemble Cratichneumon, especially in the surface sculpture of the postpetiole of the first metasomal segment, which varies from entirely smooth to smooth with some rugosity. Females are relatively easily separated from Cratichneumon as Anisopygus females are amblypygous (Cratichneumon is oxypygous). Males are nearly identical to Cratichneumon except for the usually smoother sculpture on the postpetiole and the weak to nearly absent propodeal carinae. A comparison of color between Anisopygus species and black Cratichneumon species should also be considered.

Diagnosis

• postpetiole of first metasomal segment smooth with or without some rugosity
• anterior margin of propodeum without medial process
• propodeal carinae weak to nearly absent except areaola distinct
• areola wider than long
• female metasomal apex amblypygous