Genus Leptochilus de Saussure, 1853

Leptochilus de Saussure 1853: 233, genus.

Type species: Pterochilus mauritanicus Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1841, by subsequent designation of Ashmead 1902: 209 (as “ Pterochilus mauritianus ”).

Diagnosis. Belonging to the group of genera of Odynerini s. l. without cephalic foveae in the female, with a basally obtuse second submarginal cell, and with an apical lamella of T2 (although may be reduced in the subgenus Zendalia), known as clade D sensu Bank et al. (2017). Distinguished from other genera by the following combination of characters: head shorter or not much longer than wide; proboscis usually not reaching mid coxae; thorax not much longer than wide; pronotal carina usually present; tegula protruding posteriorly; metanotum sharply edged posteriorly (in most species); submarginal carina produced in a lobe above the valvula, which is not completely fused to the propodeum; T1 hardly petiolate, depressed subapically; apical lamella of T2 with basal row of small to large punctures. Representatives of the genus are usually very small wasps (except subgenera Leptochilus s. str. and Euleptochilus, which comprise rather medium-sized ones).