Genus Mordellistena

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordellistena scapularis

tumbling flower beetle - Mordellistena fuscipennis

Tumbling flower beetle - Mordellistena cervicalis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Tenebrionoidea (Fungus, Bark, Darkling and Blister Beetles)

Family Mordellidae (Tumbling Flower Beetles)

Genus Mordellistena

Numbers

About 150 species

Size

2-4 mm., rarely 5 mm.

Identification

Small, slender, linear or wedge-shaped. Scutellum somewhat trianglular, rounded. Antennae usually threadlike, sometimes slightly sawtoothed. Eyes coarsely granulate. Each hind tibia has 1-6 short, more or less oblique ridges on outer surface; tarsal segments may also bear ridges. Most are solid black, but some have red, orange or yellow markings (1) (2).

Life Cycle

Mordellistena convicta is a parasitoid of the Goldenrod Gall Fly, Eurosta solidaginis. Eggs are laid on the outside of the gall, and the larval beetle tunnels in to attack the fly larva (3).

Print References

Dillon, p. 291, plates 29-30, illustrates several species, fig. 222 illustrates ridges on hind femur, tarsus (1)

White (2)

Eastman, p. 153 (3)

Internet References

Insecta Mundi Taxonomic changes.

Works Cited

1.	A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America By Dillon, Elizabeth S., and Dillon, Lawrence

2.	Peterson Field Guides: Beetles By Richard E. White

3.	The Book of Field and Roadside: Open-Country Weeds, Trees, and Wildflowers of Eastern North America By John Eastman, Amelia Hansen

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 12 June, 2005 - 7:48pm
Additional contributions by cotinis
Last updated 15 September, 2008 - 7:21am

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