Puelchesia gracilis, a new genus and species of Pachydemini endemic to the Monte biogeographic province in Argentina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

Abstract

A new scarab beetle genus and species, Puelchesia gracilis, is described based on specimens collected in the Monte biogeographic province of west central Argentina. This genus is placed in the tribe Pachydemini based on an evaluation of the characters within the context of the current classification of the subfamily Melolonthinae. The distribution and natural history of the taxon is also discussed. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.