Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Orig. Comb: Mordella oculata Say, 1835
Syn: Mordella jovialis LeConte, 1878
Liljeblad (1945) placed it in Glipa so it became Glipa oculata (Say, 1835). It has not been treated in the literature since then so technically it is still in Glipa according to the last author who worked on it. By our understanding of Glipa today, it obviously belongs in another genus probably just Mordella. I am not very sure about the extent of some of the other genera though so it might need to be in Hoshihananomia or even some other genus.
--Dr. John A. Jackman, Texas A&M University
Explanation of Names
oculata - presumably refers to the eyespot-like marks on the elytra.
Size
Length: to apices of elytra, 5-6 mm; to tip of anal style, 7-8.5 mm
(1)
(rather large compared to most other members of this family)
Identification
Det. John Rosenfeld, 2014
Liljeblad (1945)
(1) notes:
It is readily identified by the large, basal, cinereous-pubescent area, which usually surrounds a black spot, and the cinereous spot a little below the middle. These bands and spots vary considerably, especially the basal band, which in some specimens is broken, more like a lunule, and sometimes has a broken line from humerus to middle. The middle band sometimes does not reach either suture or margin. ... I have not found two examples that are exactly alike in their markings. Two specimens from Pennsylvania and Michigan have the markings with yellowish or golden pubescence.
Blatchley
(2) gives this description:
Antennae , tibia and tarsi dull red; basal yellowish band of elytra extending in a point almost to middle of each; under surface varied with ash-gray pubescence, the hind margin of each ventral segment reddish. Maxillary palpi of male much larger than in female, and excavated at tip.
Food
Asso. w/ Great Ragweed,
Ambrosia trifida (2) (1). Perhaps associated with other Asteraceae as well (see this
guide image).
See Also
Mordella mexicana Champion
- Range: c. TX and southward
Det. J. Abbott, 2001
Print References
Blatchley, p. 1314, as
Mordella oculata (2)
Liljeblad, E. 1945. Monograph of the family Mordellidae (Coleoptera) of North America, North of Mexico. Miscellaneous Publications No. 62, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1-229 (this species: pp. 23-25, plate I, fig. 6)
(1).
Internet References
Type - MCZ, Harvard (pretty sure this is actually a type for
Mordella mexicana Champion!)
Contributed by
Mike Quinn on 24 August, 2006 - 4:25pm
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 30 June, 2023 - 4:58pm
