"Schaeffer (1934, p. 457) listed as synonyms of luteolus Newman both defectus and sanfordi Blatchley (=sanfordensis Blatchley, see Clavareau, 1913, p. 182). He stated that he had seen the type of defectus and had received notes on the type of luteolus; however, the species I interpret as luteolus (=sanfordi) has a reddish thorax; that of defectus is described as yellow and not varied. In the USNM collection there is a single individual from Florida that agrees with the descriptions of sanfordi and luteolus and that is clearly distinct from two individuals from Texas which agree with the description of defectus. When a color sketch of one of the latter individuals was sent to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Dr. Evans informed me that the type of defectus agreed with it. On this basis, I remove defectus from synonymy with luteolus.
"By its description and illustration, nigrovittatus Jacoby (October 1880 p 44) is nearly identical with defectus Leconte (July 1880, p.201). The only difference is the extent of the black stripe on the second interval of the elytra of nigrovittatus; it is described and illustrated as extending past the middle of the interval. In a series of individuals from Central America (Finca, Panama; Yepocapa, Guatemala; and Almolonga, Mexico) that agree with the description of nigrovittatus, however, this vitta is variable in its development. In nine it is as described in the original description, in one it is nearly absent, and in another it is interrupted in the middle. I find no other characters that would reliably serve to distinguish defectus and nigrovittatus, so I have united the two."
(White, 1968).
"Pronotum: Light orange throughout, vaguely darker near apex and laterally on each side; punctation extremely sparse and minute, not distinctly dual. Elytra: Light orange with brown markings. Each elytron with dark markings as follows: on second stria at base, at basal half of fourth interval, on humerus, at apical third of sixth interval, at apex of sixth interval, and at middle of eighth stria. With seven rows of punctures and a short series behind humerus, no striae confused; fourth interval distinctly narrowed at nearly basal half, all intervals distinctly convex; punctures finer, as dense as usual, striae finer to apex; inner and outer rows distinct at apex and usually clearly meeting. Prosternum: Anterior margin in female broadly, feebly lobed; male not seen. Length: 3.2 to 3.3 mm" (White, 1968: 51).
USA: TX (White, 1968).