Mordella comptei facts for kids

Mordella comptei is a tiny and interesting type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles known as Mordella, which are part of the Mordellidae family. These beetles are sometimes called "tumbling flower beetles" because of their unique shape and how they move! Scientists first officially described Mordella comptei in 1977.

What is a Beetle?

Beetles are an amazing group of insects. They make up the largest order of insects, called Coleoptera. This means there are more types of beetles than any other insect! Beetles have hard front wings, called elytra, which protect their softer back wings and body. These elytra meet in a straight line down their back.

Beetle Body Parts

Like all insects, beetles have three main body parts:

• The head: This is where their antennae, eyes, and mouthparts are located.
• The thorax: This middle section holds their six legs and two pairs of wings.
• The abdomen: This is the rear part of their body, where many of their internal organs are found.

How Beetles Grow

Beetles go through a complete metamorphosis. This means they change a lot during their life cycle. They start as an egg, hatch into a larva (which often looks like a worm), then turn into a pupa, and finally emerge as an adult beetle. Each stage looks very different!

Meet the Mordellidae Family

Mordella comptei belongs to the Mordellidae family. These beetles are often called "tumbling flower beetles." They get this name because they are often found on flowers and have a special way of moving. When they feel threatened, they can tumble or jump away quickly.

Unique Shape of Tumbling Flower Beetles

Tumbling flower beetles have a very distinct shape. Their bodies are usually wedge-shaped, meaning they are wider at the front and get narrower towards the back. They also have a pointed abdomen that sticks out past their wing covers. This unique shape helps them move around flowers and escape from predators.

Where Do They Live?

Most tumbling flower beetles, including species like Mordella comptei, are found in places where flowers grow. They prefer areas with lots of plants, such as meadows, gardens, and forests. They are often seen during the warmer months when flowers are blooming.

What Do They Eat?

Adult tumbling flower beetles usually feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. This makes them important pollinators, helping plants reproduce. The larvae of these beetles often live inside decaying wood or plant stems, where they feed on the plant material.

Life Cycle of Mordella comptei

Like other beetles, Mordella comptei goes through four stages in its life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

• Eggs: Female beetles lay tiny eggs, often in cracks of wood or plant stems.
• Larvae: Once the eggs hatch, small larvae emerge. These larvae are usually worm-like and spend their time eating and growing. They might live inside dead wood or plant stems, feeding on the decaying material.
• Pupae: After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. This is a resting stage where the beetle transforms into its adult form.
• Adults: Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult Mordella comptei will then look for food (like pollen and nectar) and a mate to start the cycle all over again.

Discovery of Mordella comptei

Mordella comptei was first officially described by a scientist named Plaza in 1977. When a new species is "described," it means scientists have studied it carefully, given it a unique scientific name, and published their findings so other scientists can learn about it. This process helps us understand the amazing variety of life on Earth.

See also

• Beetle
• Insect
• In Spanish: Mordella comptei para niños