Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera (beetles)
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Infraorder: Cucujiformia
- Family: Mordellidae – tumbling flower beetles
- Subfamily: Mordellinae
- Tribe: Mordellini
- Genus: Variimorda Méquignon, 1946
- Species: Variimorda phungi (Pic, 1923)
Synonyms
The species was originally described as Mordella phungi Pic, 1923 before being transferred to the genus Variimorda.
Description
Variimorda phungi is a small, wedge‑shaped beetle characteristic of the family Mordellidae. Members of this family are commonly known as tumbling flower beetles because adults are frequently found on flowers and exhibit rapid, erratic movements when disturbed. Specific morphological details for V. phungi (e.g., body size, coloration, distinguishing characters) are not extensively documented in the publicly available literature.
Discovery and Nomenclature
The species was first described by French entomologist Maurice Pic in 1923 under the name Mordella phungi. Subsequent taxonomic revisions placed it in the genus Variimorda, reflecting a refined understanding of its phylogenetic relationships within Mordellidae. The specific epithet “phungi” is likely a patronym honoring an individual with the surname Phung, a common practice in zoological nomenclature.
Distribution and Habitat
Information on the geographic distribution and habitat preferences of Variimorda phungi is limited. The species has been recorded in entomological catalogues (e.g., Joel Hallan’s Biology Catalog, GBIF) but detailed locality data or ecological notes are not widely published.
References
- “Mordellidae Species List” – Joel Hallan’s Biology Catalog, Texas A&M University (archived).
- Horák, Jan (2009). Revision of some Oriental Mordellini with description of four new species. Part 3. Studies and Reports of District Museum Prague‑East, Taxonomical Series.
Note: While the taxonomic placement and original description are well documented, many aspects of the species’ biology, distribution, and ecology remain insufficiently known in the scientific literature.