Amaroschema facts for kids

Amaroschema is a special group, called a genus, of ground beetles. These beetles belong to the family Carabidae. This genus has only one known species, which is called Amaroschema gaudini. You can find this unique beetle living in the Canary Islands.

What is Amaroschema gaudini?

Amaroschema gaudini is a type of beetle. It is part of a very large group of insects known as beetles. This particular beetle is a ground beetle. Ground beetles are known for living on the ground, often under rocks, logs, or in the soil. They are usually dark-colored and have strong legs for running.

Where Does It Live?

This beetle lives only in the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa. They are known for their unique plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. When a species lives only in one specific place, it is called an endemic species. Amaroschema gaudini is an endemic species of the Canary Islands.

Why is it Special?

Amaroschema gaudini is special because it is the only species in its genus, Amaroschema. Think of a genus as a small group, and a species as a specific type within that group. So, this beetle is the only member of its specific group, making it quite unique in the beetle world.

About Ground Beetles (Carabidae)

Ground beetles are a very large and diverse family of insects. They are found all over the world. There are more than 40,000 different species of ground beetles!

What Do They Look Like?

Most ground beetles are dark, shiny, and often black or metallic. Some can be brightly colored. They usually have long legs and antennae. Their bodies are often flattened, which helps them hide under things. Many ground beetles cannot fly, even if they have wings. Their wing covers, called elytra, are often fused together.

What Do Ground Beetles Eat?

Most ground beetles are predators. This means they hunt and eat other small creatures. They often eat insects like caterpillars, slugs, snails, and even other beetles. This makes them very helpful in gardens and farms because they help control pests. Some ground beetles also eat seeds or other plant material.

Where Do They Live?

As their name suggests, ground beetles mostly live on the ground. You can find them in many different habitats. They live in forests, grasslands, deserts, and even near water. They often hide under rocks, logs, leaves, or in the soil during the day. They come out at night to hunt.

Scientific Classification

Scientists use a system to organize all living things. This system helps us understand how different species are related to each other. It goes from very broad groups to very specific ones.

• Kingdom: All animals belong to the Animal Kingdom.
• Phylum: Insects are part of the Arthropod Phylum.
• Class: Beetles are in the Insect Class.
• Order: All beetles belong to the Order Coleoptera.
• Family: Ground beetles are in the family Carabidae.
• Genus: Amaroschema is the genus for this beetle.
• Species: Amaroschema gaudini is the specific species.

Who Discovered It?

The scientist who first described Amaroschema gaudini was Jeannel, in 1943. When a scientist describes a new species, they give it a unique scientific name. This name is used by scientists all over the world.

What are Synonyms?

Sometimes, a species might be given different names by different scientists over time. These other names are called synonyms. For Amaroschema gaudini, some synonyms include Amara canariensis and Amaroschema heinzi. Scientists later realized these were all the same species.