Passalus (Passalus) coarctatus Percheron, 1835 was described from Brazil without precise locality data; except for its inclusion in catalogues, nothing is known of this species and only one publication has provided specific locality data. We provide precise localities for P. coarctatus in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia, we describe the third instar larva, discuss its taxonomic status and correct errors of previous publications.