Mordella varicornis facts for kids

Mordella varicornis is a tiny, interesting type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles known as tumbling flower beetles. These beetles are famous for their unique shape and how they move. This particular species was first found and described in 1891. It is part of the Mordella genus, which is a big family of beetles called Mordellidae.

What is a Tumbling Flower Beetle?

Tumbling flower beetles, like Mordella varicornis, are small insects. They often have a special body shape that looks a bit like a wedge. This shape helps them move quickly and easily. They get their name "tumbling" because they can quickly flip or tumble away when they feel threatened.

Where Do These Beetles Live?

These beetles are found in many parts of the world. They usually live in places where there are lots of flowers. This is because they often visit flowers to find food. You might spot them in gardens, meadows, or forests.

What Do They Eat?

Most tumbling flower beetles, including Mordella varicornis, enjoy eating pollen and nectar from flowers. They are important for plants because they help with pollination as they move from flower to flower. Some types of these beetles might also eat decaying wood or fungi.

How Do They Help Plants?

When these beetles visit flowers to eat, tiny grains of pollen stick to their bodies. As they fly to another flower, they carry this pollen with them. This process, called pollination, helps plants make seeds and grow new plants. It's a bit like the job bees do!

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all beetles, Mordella varicornis goes through a complete life cycle. This means it changes a lot as it grows.

From Egg to Larva

The life of a Mordella varicornis starts as a tiny egg. The female beetle lays her eggs in places where the young, called larvae, will have food. For many tumbling flower beetles, the larvae live inside decaying wood or plant stems.

What Do Larvae Do?

The larvae look very different from the adult beetles. They are often worm-like and spend their time eating and growing. They munch on the wood or plant material they live in. This stage is all about getting bigger and storing energy.

The Pupa Stage

After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. This is a resting stage, like a cocoon for butterflies. Inside the pupa, the beetle's body transforms. It slowly develops its adult shape, including wings and legs.

Becoming an Adult Beetle

Finally, the adult Mordella varicornis beetle emerges from the pupa. It now has its distinctive wedge shape and can fly. The adult beetles focus on finding food and a mate to start the life cycle all over again.

Interesting Facts About Beetles

Beetles are an amazing group of insects. They make up about 25% of all known animal species on Earth!

• Beetles have hard outer wings called elytra. These act like a shield to protect their delicate flying wings underneath.
• They can be found in almost every habitat, from deserts to rainforests, and even in water.
• Some beetles are very colorful, while others blend in perfectly with their surroundings.
• Beetles play many important roles in nature, like breaking down dead plants and animals, or helping plants grow through pollination.