Diversity of western ecuadorian bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

South America is home to the largest scolytine diversity in the world with ~1400 species reported. However this diversity is mostly based on limited collecting events in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. Ecuador is widely regarded as a biodiversity hotspot for many taxa yet less than 30 scolytine species are reported from the country. Recent collecting events and examination of museum specimens have shown that the diversity of western Ecuador is at least 300 species.  We present our findings as part of our efforts to describe new species and produce a checklist of Ecuadorian species.