Tumbling Flower Beetles

Family Mordellidae

Mordella melaena. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae of most species are predaceous but a few are stem and leaf miners. They are commonly found on flowers, especially composites, in midsummer. The larvae are common in rotting wood and dead branches. They are active beetles and run or fly rapidly when disturbed. Most species of Mordellidae are under 8 mm long. These beetles have a characteristic humpbacked shape, with the head bent downwards, and a long pointed abdomen and long hind legs. The colour is variable, but most are black or gray and the body is covered with scales or setae.