Mordella basalis Costa, 1854: 13–14

(Figs 4, 14–15)

Type locality. “Regno di Napoli” [former Kingdom of Naples] and “ Calabrie ”, Italy .

Material examined. Lectotype by present designation (Figs 4, 14–15), male, MZFN: new box, labelled: “42.4749 | Mordella basalis, n. Camaldoli [original Costa’s label] | LECTOTYPE Mordella basalis Costa, 1854 D. Selnekovič des. 2019 [red label] | Variimorda (s. str.) basalis Costa, 1854 D. Selnekovič det. 2019”; pinned, geni- talia and pygidium stored in microvial . Additional specimens in the series: 1 female, MZFN: new box, labelled: “ Calabria | Variimorda (s. str.) basalis Costa, 1854 D. Selnekovič det. 2019” .

Current status. Valid species; present combination: Variimorda (s. str.) basalis (Costa, 1854) .

Remarks. The lectotype corresponds to the current interpretation of the species, but it also agrees with the description of Variimorda briantea (Comolli, 1837) . Unfortunately, the collection of Antonio Villa containing a single type specimen of V. briantea have been destroyed (Bosquet 2016; Fabrizio Rigato, MSNM, pers. comm.). Therefore, we cannot confirm the validity of the two species here. Genitalia of the V. basalis lectotype are illustrated here for the first time (Figs 14–15).