FAMILY MORDELLIDAE

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

• Beetles (Order Coleoptera​​)

• ​Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles (Suborder Polyphaga)

• Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

• Darkling Beetles and Allies (Superfamily Tenebrionoidea)

• ​Tumbling Flower Beetles (Family Mordellidae)

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Family Mordellidae comprises the tumbling flower beetles, a distinctive family of small beetles in the order Coleoptera. These beetles are easily recognized by their wedge-shaped bodies, strongly arched backs, and the pointed extension of the abdomen that projects beyond the wing covers. When disturbed, they often move rapidly and tumble or leap from flowers, giving rise to their common name. Adults are commonly found on blossoms, where they feed on pollen and nectar and may contribute to pollination. They are typically black, brown, gray, or mottled, although some species have lighter markings or hairs.