Meloidae from Canary and other Macaronesian Islands (Coleoptera)

Abstract

Some new faunistical and taxonomical notes on Canary and Azores blister beetles are carried out. Hycleus rufipalpis (Escalera) and Sitarobrachys thoracica (Reitter) are cited for the fust time of the Canary Islands; both genera are new for this archipelago. Meloe mediterraneus G. Müller, the first species of Meloidae for the Azores, is recorded also for Fuerteventura Island. Meloe nudus Wollaston, a species known only by the original descnption from Fuerteventura, is synonyrnized with coelatus Reiche & Saulcy, new for the Macaronesian fauna. Meloe subcyaneus Wollaston is regarded as a subspecies of M. aegyptius Brandt & Enchson. Other new faunistical records are given, a key for identification is carried out, and the check-list of the Meloidae from Macaronesia is revised.