Eburia cacapyra facts for kids

The Eburia cacapyra is a fascinating type of beetle that belongs to a family called Cerambycidae. These beetles are known for their incredibly long antennae! You can find the Eburia cacapyra living in the beautiful country of Ecuador. It was first officially described in 1999 by a scientist named Ubirajara Martins.

What is a Longhorn Beetle?

Eburia cacapyra is part of the longhorn beetle family, also known as Cerambycidae. This is a very large group of beetles with over 35,000 different species found all over the world! They get their name "longhorn" because most of them have antennae that are often as long as, or even longer than, their bodies.

Amazing Antennae

The long antennae of these beetles are not just for show. They are super important for how the beetles sense the world around them. They use their antennae to feel, smell, and sometimes even taste things. This helps them find food, locate mates, and avoid danger. For example, a male longhorn beetle might use his antennae to find the scent of a female beetle.

Where Do They Live?

Many longhorn beetles, including the Eburia cacapyra, live in forests. They are often found in places with lots of trees, as their larvae (baby beetles) usually live inside wood. The Eburia cacapyra specifically lives in Ecuador, a country in South America known for its rich biodiversity and rainforests. This means it's a special beetle that is native to that region.

What Do They Eat?

What longhorn beetles eat depends on their stage of life.

• Most adult longhorn beetles feed on things like pollen, nectar, or tree sap.
• However, the larvae are the ones that do most of the eating! They chew on wood, either from living trees or dead logs. This helps to break down dead wood in forests, which is an important job for the environment.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all beetles, the Eburia cacapyra goes through a complete metamorphosis. This means it changes a lot during its life.

• It starts as an egg, often laid in a crack in tree bark.
• The egg hatches into a larva, which is like a grub. This is the stage that eats wood.
• After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. During this stage, it rests and transforms inside a special chamber, often still within the wood.
• Finally, the pupa changes into an adult beetle, which then emerges from the wood to find a mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.

See also

In Spanish: Eburia cacapyra para niños