Gonatocerus Nees 1834

GONATOCERUS Nees, 1834 (Figs 147–151) Gonatocerus Nees, 1834: 192. Type species: Gonatocerus longicornis Nees, 1834, by monotypy. Diagnosis. Gonatocerus is distinguished by the following combination: vertex with 2 setae between lateral ocelli (Fig. 147b); mandibles of normal length, with 3 distinct, equal teeth and crossing when closed; pronotum divided medially by longitudinal suture and the lobes abutting medially (Fig. 150) except sometimes slightly separated dorsally; fore wing relatively narrow, with apex evenly rounded, and with microtrichia usually as dense posterior to venation as distal to venation (Fig. 149); stigmal vein with apex usually slightly oblique; dorsellum diamond-shaped (Fig. 150); propodeum with faint, converging sublateral lines, or lines absent (Fig. 150); pronotal spiracle about same size as propodeal spiracle (Fig. 150); ovipositor not produced anteriorly under mesosoma. Remarks. Gonatocerus belongs to the Gonatocerus group of genera, treated formally as Gonatocerini by Huber (2015a). Gonatocerus appears to be most similar to Cosmocomoidea. Useful features that help distinguish Gonatocerus species are: fu 2 and fu 3 usually slightly the longest funicle segments and apex of fu 2 often oblique. The dorsellum margins are sometimes lighter in colour than the rest of the dorsellum. Otherwise, Gonatocerus is more difficult to characterize than the other genera in Gonatocerini. Neotropical hosts. Hemiptera. Important references. Triapitsyn et al. (2010), Huber (2015a).