Mordella dilaticornis facts for kids

Mordella dilaticornis is a type of beetle that belongs to the Mordella group. It is part of a larger family called Mordellidae. Scientists first officially described this beetle in 1891.

Beetles are a huge group of insects. They are known for their hard outer wings, which protect their softer flying wings underneath. Mordella dilaticornis is just one of many thousands of beetle species found around the world.

What is Mordella dilaticornis?

Mordella dilaticornis is a specific kind of beetle. It's a member of the Mordella genus. This means it shares many features with other beetles in the Mordella group.

This beetle was first identified by a scientist named George Charles Champion. He described it in 1891, giving it its scientific name. Scientific names help scientists around the world know exactly which creature they are talking about.

Meet the Tumbling Flower Beetles

Mordella dilaticornis belongs to the family Mordellidae. These beetles are often called "tumbling flower beetles." They get this name because of how they move. When disturbed, they often tumble or jump around.

They are also called "flower beetles" because many of them are found on flowers. They visit flowers to feed on pollen and nectar. This makes them important for helping plants reproduce.

What Do They Look Like?

Tumbling flower beetles, including Mordella dilaticornis, are usually small. They often have a distinctive body shape. Their bodies are wedge-shaped or boat-shaped.

They also have a pointed abdomen (the back part of their body). This pointed shape helps them move around in tight spaces, like inside flowers. Their colors can vary, but many are dark.

Where Do They Live?

These beetles are found in many different parts of the world. They prefer places where there are lots of flowers. This is because flowers are their main source of food.

You might find them in meadows, gardens, or forests. They live in areas where their favorite plants grow. Their habitat depends on the specific plant species they feed on.

What Do They Eat?

Adult tumbling flower beetles mostly eat pollen and nectar. They use their mouthparts to collect these sugary substances from flowers. This diet makes them important pollinators.

Their larvae (young beetles) have a different diet. They usually live inside decaying wood or plant stems. They feed on the decaying plant material. This helps break down dead plants in nature.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all insects, Mordella dilaticornis goes through a life cycle. This cycle involves several stages. It starts as an egg and changes form as it grows.

This process is called complete metamorphosis. It's a common way for many insects to develop. Each stage looks very different from the others.

From Egg to Adult

The life cycle begins when an adult female beetle lays eggs. She usually lays them on or near a suitable food source for the larvae. For tumbling flower beetles, this might be decaying wood.

After hatching from the egg, the beetle is in its larval stage. The larva looks like a small worm. It spends its time eating and growing. It sheds its skin several times as it gets bigger.

Once the larva is fully grown, it changes into a pupa. The pupa is a resting stage. During this time, the beetle transforms inside a protective casing. It doesn't eat or move much.

Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult beetle is ready to find a mate and start the cycle all over again. The adult stage is usually when the beetle can fly and reproduce.