MORDELLA. MORDELLA. 



Generic Character. 



filiformes serratae. 

 Caput deflexum in territo. 



Palpi compresso - clavati, 



oblique truncati. 

 Elytra deorsum curva api- 



ccm versus. 



Lamina lata ante femora ad 

 basin abdominis. 



Antenna filiform, serrated. 



Head bent down, when dis- 

 turbed. 



Feelers compressed-clavate, 

 obliquely truncated. 



Wing -Sheaths curving 

 downwards towards the 

 tip. 



Lamina broad, before the 

 thighs, at the base of die 

 abdomen. 



JL HE present genus consists of but few species, 

 and those of small size. The mtst common 

 of the British species is the Mordella aculeata, 

 measuring two or three lines in length: it is en- 

 tirely black, and of a smooth surface; the abdo- 

 men is compressed, and terminates in a spine or 

 sharp process extending beyond the wing-sheaths; 

 the legs are rather long, and the insect, when 

 disturbed, has the power of leaping or springing 

 to a small distance. It is usually found on plants, 

 in gardens, &c. It is observed to vary occasion- 

 ally in colour, having the wing-sheaths sometimes 

 marked by two transverse, cinereous, villose bars. 

 This supposed variety is by some considered, and 

 perhaps justly, as a distinct species. 



