Abstract

Argidae is the second most species-rich family, with the greatest number and diversity occurring in the Neotropical Region with 31 genera and approximately 309 species. In Brazil, the lack of specialists in the group, the limited available information, and the large number of morphospecies have increased the need to study the taxonomy of the genera and species of Argidae occurring in the Brazilian Amazon. The study focused on individuals deposited in the entomological collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amaz & ocirc;nia (INPA) and the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (MPEG). This comprehensive study revealed the presence of 63 species belonging to 21 genera of Argidae, resulting in six new records for the Brazilian Amazon and two new records for Brazil. For a starting point regarding the taxonomy of Amazonian Argidae, this study presents images of diagnostic characteristics, an identification key for the genera, and detailed information on the geographic distribution. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential for a rich diversity of Argidae species in the Brazilian Amazon, which has been largely undocumented in previous taxonomic studies.