Mordellidae

Additional revolving around the transverse axis (at lower frequency) effects spiralling somersaults that are perceived as tumbling.

While the pintail (pygidium) is of no significance for the jump, the meta-trochanter-femur (thighs and surrounding rings of the third leg pair) has a great capacity for free rotation (up to 270 degrees, at one level only).

It is inferred that the capacity of a tumbling form of locomotion is rooted in a common phylogeny and can therefore not be ascribed specifically to Mordellidae.

Weevils of the genus Trigonopterus, in the Asian tropical rainforest, for example, have an even tighter connective construction in the coxa-trochanter joint than is found in Mordellidae.

[4] Another fossil genus, Liaoximordella, was previously treated as distinct monotypic family Liaoximordellidae, but is now regarded as very primitive and probably basal member of the Mordellidae.

Adult female Tolidopalpus nitidicoma (Mordellinae: Mordellistenini) from side