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Cushman (1924, p. 21) has previously pointed out “The fact that Ichneumon luteus is the only species mentioned by Schrank in connection with Paniscus and is also the type of the genus Ophion would seem to make necessary the synonymising of Paniscus with Ophion.” Under strict interpretation of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Paniscus Schrank is isogenotypic, and therefore synonymous with Ophion Fabricius. Townes (1938) synonymised Paniscus Schrank with Ophion Fabricius, and used Netelia Gray for Paniscus of authors. Cushman (1947, p. 437) referring to Townes’ action in synonymising Paniscus with Ophion states: “… although I feel that this action was too precipitate, and probably will not receive the support and following of the majority of the contemporary specialists on the Ichneumonidae, his action seems to have blocked the preservation of Paniscus in the sense sanctioned by well over a hundred years of usage, and I follow him in the use of Netelia.” From the above remarks it will be at once apparent that there is no
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alternative but to synonymise Paniscus with Ophion and to substitute for Paniscus, in the traditional sense, Gray's genus Netelia.
These insects, as are all Phytodietini, are external parasites on lepidopterous larvae. There is a reference in the New Zealand literature to one of our species parasitising locusts (Miller, 1919); this observation is probably an error and requires confirmation. The eggs are very large and are attached externally to the body of the host by a pedicel which is thrust through the skin of the host. In oviposition the egg itself is not enclosed in the ovipositor, but is attached to it by the enlarged base of the pedicel. Structurally the ovipositor is rather unique; it is attenuated at the apex beyond a more or less distinct ventral enlargement. (Fig. 1.) This type of ovipositor occurs in all groups of ichneumonids that produce stalked eggs.