Resolving the identity and nomenclature of the tumbling flower beetle genus Variimorda Méquignon in Canada and the USA (Coleoptera: Mordellidae)

Abstract

For several decades, the correct generic placement of Mordella oculata Say [currently Glipa oculata (Say), Coleoptera: Mordellidae] has been recognized to be problematic but has remained unresolved. The first goal of this paper is to clarify the taxonomy of this species, using morphology of parameres, antennae, and pro- and mesotarsi. The second goal is to study the morphology of the other Mordellini species of Canada and USA for the possibility that additional species have misaligned generic assignment. Results indicate that G. oculata belongs to Variimorda Méquignon, a genus previously unrecognized for Canada and USA. Existence of a senior synonym discovered through this project, M. pubescens Fabricius, means the revised name for G. oculata is V. pubescens (Fabricius), new combination, and M. oculata is a new synonym of M. pubescens. Additional results indicate four other Mordella species of Canada and USA and two Mordella species of Mexico also belong to Variimorda. Multiple morphological differences from M. oculata justify restored status to M. jovialis LeConte. Lectotypes are designated for the names M. pubescens, M. oculata, and M. insulata LeConte. The new combinations for the additional Variimorda species are V. insulata (LeConte),V. invisitata (Liljeblad), V. jovialis (LeConte), V. mexicana (Champion), V. novemnotata (Ray), and V. septemnotata (Champion). This paper also includes information on geographic distributions and identification, including a key to the five Variimorda species of Canada and USA. Québec and North Dakota appear to be new provincial and state records for V. pubescens. Alabama, Iowa, and Virginia appear to be new state records for V. insulata.