Checklist of the Bruchidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) of Mexico

Abstract

Johnson and Kingsolver (1981) estimated that there were 140 species of Bruchidae in Mexico. We now know that there are at least 334 species in 23 genera of Bruchidae in Mexico. This increase is due to research that has produced new distribution records and new species. In the checklist the species are listed by genus and distribution records are given for each species. Brief histories on the work of researchers in the New World and estimates of numbers species of bruchids in the New World and worldwide are given. Four names are excluded from a checklist of bruchids of the New World for a variety of reasons. Bruchus ingae Fåhraeus (1839) has only been found in southern South America and the original designation from Mexico is considered to be in error. Bruchus serraticornis (Fabricius) was published by Fabricius (1775) on page 65 with a locality as “Habitat in Oriente.” Blackwelder (1946) indicated that serraticornis was published by Fabricius (1775) on page 66 (erroneously) and was from “Mexico, Old World.” In several recent papers European entomologists (Decelle and Lodos 1989; Borowiec and Anton 1993; Anton et al. 1997) indicated that serraticornis (Fabricius) was in the Old World genus Bruchidius. The name is therefore excluded. Bruchus triangularis Say (1831:1) and B. oculatus Say (1831:2), both from Mexico, were among the species described by Say (1831) whose types were apparently lost. These names cannot be applied to any species with any degree of certainty because of inadequate descriptions by Say. They continue to appear on checklists but not in the literature, so after 170 years we consider them to be nomina dubia and therefore they were removed from the checklist.