Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#21505
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordella

Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordella
American Tobacco Trail south of Scott King Rd., Durham County, North Carolina, USA
May 23, 2005
Size: 5 mm
Lateral view of captive. Following key to genera on p. 287 of Dillon: (1)
1. Abdomen with last segment prolonged, conical. Claws cleft and pectinate, metafemora very robust.-->3
3. Metatibiae with small, subapical ridge (just visible on full-size photo here, or with lens), as opposed to oblique ridges on outer face, eyes finely granulate--->4
4. Scutellum trianglular, anal style longe and slender, length less than 7 mm -->Mordella

Looking at the key to species in genus (not complete, but a start) on p. 290:
1. Elytra without conspicuous markings--->2
2. Deep black, finely pubescent, base of pronotum broadly rounded at middle--->M. melaena (Plate XXIX-a #2, 3-6 mm)

Images of this individual: tag all
Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordella Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordella Tumbling Flower Beetle - Mordella