Mordellaria

Ermisch, 1950

Mordellaria is a of ( ) established by Ermisch in 1950. The genus contains at least 10 extant distributed across North America, Europe, and temperate Asia, plus one fossil species described from Eocene Baltic amber. Species in this genus share the characteristic humpbacked body form and enlarged hind legs typical of the family, which enable their distinctive tumbling escape .

Mordellaria serval by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Mordellaria serval by (c) Will Linnard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Will Linnard. Used under a CC-BY license.Mordellaria undulata by no rights reserved, uploaded by Nick Bédard. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Mordellaria: //mɔrˌdɛˈlaːri.a//

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Distribution

North America (at least 4 : M. borealis, M. serval, M. undulata, M. latipalpis), Europe (M. aurofasciata), and temperate Asia (M. hananoi, M. kanoi, M. latior). Fossil record includes M. friedrichi from Eocene Baltic amber. GBIF records indicate presence in Sweden and Vermont, USA.

Similar Taxa

  • MordellaBoth share the humpbacked profile and tumbling ; Mordellaria generally have more pronounced antennal serrations and differ in male structure.
  • MordellistenaLarger with overlapping distribution; Mordellaria typically has a more convex and shorter elytral .

Sources and further reading