Blaisdells formae and homonyms in the genus Eleodes Eschscholtz [Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Embaphionini]

The taxonomy of the speciose genus Eleodes Eschscholtz is complicated by a plethora of infrasubspecific names proposed by Blaisdell which were subsequently, if dubiously, elevated to subspecies. These cases are discussed and where deemed necessary, resolved. The following new names are proposed to replace occupied names: Eleodes formosus for E. oblongus Blaisdell, Eleodes tribulus for E. caudatus (Horn), Eleodes extricatus convexinotus for E. e. convexicollis Blaisdell, and Eleodes transvolcanensis for E. alticolus Pierre. Eleodes transvolcanensis rufipes Pierre is a new trinomial combination resulting from the new name for E. alticolus. Eleodes lecontei Horn is conserved by precedence over E. lecontei Gemminger et Harold.