Rutela formosa Burmeister, 1844

Hielkema, Auke J. & Hielkema, Meindert A., 2019, An annotated checklist of the Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the Guianas, Insecta Mundi 732 (732), pp. 1-306 : 153

Rutela formosa Burmeister, 1844

Rutela formosa Burmeister 1844: 383 (none - LECTOTYPE)

Distribution. Guyana: RMNH (Guyana.). French Guiana: Jameson 1998: 77; Soula 2010a: 55. Brazil: Jameson 1998: 77. Venezuela: RMNH (Venezuela.). Other: Burmeister 1844: 383 (Cuba); Ohaus 1934: 116 (Cuba, U.S.A.); Blackwelder 1944: 239 (Bahamas, Cuba, U.S.A.); Machatschke 1972: 51 (Cuba, U.S.A.); Chalumeau 1985: 240 (none - designation LECTOTYPE Rutela formosa , Bahamas, Cuba, U.S.A.); Jameson 1998: 77 (Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, U.S.A.).

Note 1. Jameson (1998: 77) and Soula (2010a: 55) mention Rutela formosa for French Guiana, but note that this is based on a single specimen with a label saying “Cayenne.” No other specimens from French Guiana are known, and we consider its occurrence there in need of confirmation.

Note 2. Two specimens of Rutela formosa in the collection of the RMNH are labeled “ Guyana ” and “ Venezuela,” respectively. According to Jameson (1998: 77), this species is found in the Greater Antilles and the U.S.A., with some additional records from the coastal regions of Central and South American countries. Given the sparse Neotropical mainland records, we consider the presence of this species in Guyana and Venezuela possible but in need of confirmation.