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Story: Beetles

Pintail beetle

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Pintail beetle

This pintail beetle (Mordella detracta) is one of seven species of the family Mordellidae found in New Zealand. Adults have a hunched back, a small head, and pin-shaped rear. They are commonly seen in summer feeding on flowers.

This specimen was collected by John Nunn.

Using this item

University of Otago, Virus Research Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

by Simon Clearwater

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How to cite this page

John Marris, Beetles – Habitats, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14377/pintail-beetle (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by John Marris, published 1 March 2009.