NEW RECORD OF DELTOCHILINI FROM ECUADOR (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE)

Abstract

The tribe Deltochilini Lacordaire, 1856 is a tribe of scarabaeid beetles, in the dung beetle of subfamily Scarabaeinae. Members of tribe are vary widely in size (2–33 mm long). The tribe Deltochilini, includes 22 genera. Species of tribe are widespread in South America and extend north into the temperate zones of North America. Most species are coprophagous, some species are saprophagous and feed rotting mushrooms and plant debris.

During an expedition to Ecuador in the Yasuni National Park and Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve in 2018, some data were obtained on representatives of the family, Scarabaeidae, including species from the tribe Deltochilini. As a result of the research new finds for four species of the tribe Deltochilini are presented (Canthon (Goniocanthon) fulgidus martinezi Nunes et al., 2018, Deltochilum (Deltochilum) rosamariae Martínez, 1991, Dichotomius (Dichotomius) mamillatus (Felsche, 1901) and Dichotomius (Dichotomius) podalirius (Felsche, 1901)). Three species (Deltochilum rosamariae, Dichotomius mamillatus and Dichotomius podalirius) were collected at night under light, and one during the day (Canthon (fulgidus martinezi).

The article illustrates diagnostic features of rare and little-known species (Canthon (fulgidus martinezi and Deltochilum rosamariae) and indicates some of their ecological preferences. For the first time, Deltochilum rosamariae is recorded for the Manabí Province and Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve.