Mordella analis facts for kids

Mordella analis is a small, interesting type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles called Mordellidae, which are often called "tumbling flower beetles" because of how they move. This particular beetle was first officially described in 1891 by a scientist named George Charles Champion. Like all beetles, Mordella analis has a hard outer shell that protects its body.

What is a Beetle?

Beetles are a huge group of insects found almost everywhere on Earth. They make up about 25% of all known animal species! Beetles are part of the order called Coleoptera, which means "sheathed wing." This name describes their special front wings, which are hard and shell-like. These hard wings, called elytra, protect the softer flying wings underneath.

Beetle Body Parts

Like all insects, beetles have three main body parts:

• Head: This is where their eyes, antennae, and mouthparts are. Antennae help them smell and feel their way around.
• Thorax: The middle part of their body where their six legs and two pairs of wings are attached.
• Abdomen: The last part of their body, which holds their digestive system and other organs.

Meet the Tumbling Flower Beetles

Mordella analis is part of the Mordellidae family. These beetles are often called "tumbling flower beetles" because of their unique shape and how they move. They have a very arched or humped back and a pointed abdomen that sticks out. This shape helps them move quickly and tumble around, especially when they are on flowers.

Why Are They Called Tumbling Flower Beetles?

These beetles are usually found on flowers. They feed on pollen and nectar. When they feel threatened or want to move quickly from one flower to another, they can perform a rapid, tumbling motion. This quick movement helps them escape from predators or find new food sources. Their pointed abdomen also helps them balance and push off surfaces.

What Does Mordella analis Look Like?

While we don't have a specific picture of Mordella analis, most beetles in the Mordella genus are small to medium-sized. They often have a dark color, like black or brown, and sometimes have patterns or hairs on their bodies. Their bodies are usually quite narrow and wedge-shaped, which is typical for tumbling flower beetles.

Size and Color

Most beetles in the Mordellidae family are quite small, usually only a few millimeters long. Their colors can vary, but many are dark and shiny. Some might have a metallic sheen or fine hairs that give them a slightly fuzzy look.

Where Do They Live and What Do They Eat?

Like other tumbling flower beetles, Mordella analis likely lives in areas where there are plenty of flowering plants. This could include meadows, gardens, forests, and fields.

Habitat

They are often found on the flowers of various plants, where they spend their time feeding. The types of flowers they prefer can depend on the specific beetle species.

Diet

Adult tumbling flower beetles, including Mordella analis, mostly feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. This makes them important for pollination, helping plants reproduce. The larvae (young beetles) of Mordellidae beetles usually live inside dead wood or plant stems, where they feed on decaying plant material.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

All beetles go through a process called complete metamorphosis, which means they have four distinct life stages:

• Egg: The life cycle begins when the female beetle lays tiny eggs, often on or near a food source for the larvae.
• Larva: After hatching, the eggs turn into larvae. These are often worm-like and spend their time eating and growing. For Mordella analis, the larvae likely live inside plants or wood.
• Pupa: Once the larva has grown enough, it forms a pupa. During this stage, the beetle undergoes a major transformation, changing from a larva into an adult.
• Adult: Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult's main job is to reproduce and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.

See also

In Spanish: Mordella analis para niños