Goneatara nasutus
Goneatara nasutus is a of ichneumon in the Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae. The species was described by Heinrich in 1962 based on three female specimens from southern Arizona. It is characterized by an unusual with a swelling that becomes bipartite below, branching toward the margin—this distinctive feature inspired the specific epithet "nasutus" (meaning "large-nosed"). Females are amblypygous, possessing a very short ovipositor and broad subgenital plate, an for ovipositing into mature larvae or of Lepidoptera rather than pupae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Goneatara nasutus: //ˌɡɒn.iˈæt.ə.rə nəˈsuː.təs//
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Identification
Goneatara nasutus can be distinguished from similar ichneumonine by the diagnostic clypeal structure: a swelling that becomes bipartite (divided into two parts) below, branching toward the margin of the . This gives the a distinctive "large-nosed" appearance. Females are amblypygous, meaning they have a very short, non-protruding ovipositor and a broad subgenital plate, unlike the long, tail-like ovipositor of oxypygous ichneumonids. The coloration is consistent with other southwestern North American Ichneumoninae, though specific color pattern details are not well documented in available sources.
Distribution
Known from southern Arizona, USA. The was collected in Florida Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains at 4000 ft elevation. were collected from the Santa Rita Mountains and Sabino Canyon (north of Tucson). A photographic record from 2010 confirms the persists in the Tucson area, specifically at the Tucson Gardens.
Ecological Role
As a , likely contributes to of Lepidopteran . The amblypygous ovipositor structure indicates specialization on mature larvae or rather than pupal stages.
Similar Taxa
- Neamblyjoppa nasutusFormerly considered a potential match for specimens from the same region, but distinguished by clypeal structure and other morphological features; Goneatara nasutus has the diagnostic bipartite clypeal swelling while Neamblyjoppa has different clypeal
- Other southwestern IchneumoninaeShare similar general coloration patterns, but Goneatara nasutus is distinguished by the unique clypeal structure described by Heinrich