Venanus

General description: 

Diagnosis. Body shape shape relatively slender, often somewhat dorsoventrally flattened. Body color typically black nearly throughout, legs variable in color. Fore wing with closed areolet (r-m present). Metacoxae relatively small (as in Microplitis). Propodeum rugose, with medial carina present, at least for some portion of length. First metasomal tergite relatively elongate, of somewhat variable shape and degree of sculpturing. Second metasomal tergum with median raised area that is narrower than first tergite, at least at their junction. Ovipositor sheath distally with setae highly reduced in size (as in Distatrix, Venanides).

Notes on distribution and diversity. The genus is restricted to the New World, from as north as Canada (Yukon Territory) to Chile in the South. It is a relatively small genus, with nine described species (Whitfield et al. 2011), and two more new species in press to be published soon (Fernandez-Triana et al. 2014). The Canadian National Collection has specimens representing 3-4 additional, undescribed species (from the United States, Dominican Republic, and Chile) and Whitifield et al. (2011) stated that "A few other apparent new species are found in collections but are currently represented by specimens of only one sex and with no host data. It seems preferable to wait until a thorough revision is conducted to describe those species". Thus, it is likely that the final number of species within the genus reaches 20 or so.

Host data. Leafmining and needle mining caterpillars were believed to be the main hosts (Mason, 1981), however recently collecting and rearing of caterpiilas in South America suggests that other hosts such as Pyralidae might also be common (Whitfield et al, 2011).

Diagnosis. Body shape shape relatively slender, often somewhat dorsoventrally flattened. Body color typically black nearly throughout, legs variable in color. Fore wing with closed areolet (r-m present). Metacoxae relatively small (as in Microplitis). Propodeum rugose, with medial carina present, at least for some portion of length. First metasomal tergite relatively elongate, of somewhat variable shape and degree of sculpturing. Second metasomal tergum with median raised area that is narrower than first tergite, at least at their junction. Ovipositor sheath distally with setae highly reduced in size (as in Distatrix, Venanides).

Notes on distribution and diversity. The genus is restricted to the New World, from as north as Canada (Yukon Territory) to Chile in the South. It is a relatively small genus, with nine described species (Whitfield et al. 2011), and two more new species in press to be published soon (Fernandez-Triana et al. 2014). The Canadian National Collection has specimens representing 3-4 additional, undescribed species (from the United States, Dominican Republic, and Chile) and Whitifield et al. (2011) stated that "A few other apparent new species are found in collections but are currently represented by specimens of only one sex and with no host data. It seems preferable to wait until a thorough revision is conducted to describe those species". Thus, it is likely that the final number of species within the genus reaches 20 or so.

Host data. Leafmining and needle mining caterpillars were believed to be the main hosts (Mason, 1981), however recently collecting and rearing of caterpiilas in South America suggests that other hosts such as Pyralidae might also be common (Whitfield et al, 2011).

Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith