[2] Compsus canescens was described for the first time by Carl Henrik Boheman in 1840, page 181, under the genus Platyomus.

The holotype for Compsus canescens is housed at the Swedish Museum of Natural History (NHRS-JLKB000022893).

[4] The original diagnosis, in Latin, offered by Boheman is as follows:[3] Oblongus, niger, breviter setulosus, supra squamulis canis lateribus et subtus argenteis tectus, thorace profunde sat crebre rugoso, dorso lato profunde lateribus obsoletius longitudinaliter impresso, antice tenue canaliculato; elytris dorso depressis, sat profunde punctato-

striatis, interstitiis alternis elevatis, carinatis, apice breviter mucronatis.According to this diagnosis, the species can be recognized by the following features: briefly setulose, grey/silver dorsal scales; pronotum depressed medially, coarsely rugose, with lateral longitudinal elevations; elytra dorsally flattened, with moderately marked elytral punctures, with alternate interstriae elevated, apices briefly projected.

[5] The type locality is 'Nova Granata'[3] and there are plenty of records in iNaturalist from Bogotá and surrounding municipalities.