Mordella weiseri facts for kids

Mordella weiseri is a small, interesting type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles called the Mordella genus, which is part of the Mordellidae family. Scientists first discovered and described this particular beetle in 1930.

What is a Beetle?

Beetles are a huge group of insects. They make up about 25% of all known animal species on Earth! Beetles have hard front wings, called elytra, which protect their softer flying wings underneath. These elytra meet in a straight line down their back.

Beetle Body Parts

Like all insects, beetles have three main body parts:

• The head has their eyes, antennae, and mouthparts.
• The thorax is the middle part where their six legs and two pairs of wings are attached.
• The abdomen is the last part, which holds their digestive and reproductive organs.

About the Mordellidae Family

Mordella weiseri belongs to the Mordellidae family, often called "tumbling flower beetles." This name comes from how they move. When they are disturbed, they often tumble or jump around quickly.

Where Tumbling Flower Beetles Live

These beetles are found all over the world. They usually live in places where there are lots of flowers. You might see them on plants in gardens, meadows, or forests.

What Tumbling Flower Beetles Eat

Most adult tumbling flower beetles, including Mordella weiseri, feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. This makes them important for pollination, helping plants reproduce. Their larvae, which are the young beetles, often live inside decaying wood or plant stems. They might eat the fungi or decaying plant material there.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Beetles go through a process called complete metamorphosis. This means they have four main stages in their life:

• Egg: The female beetle lays tiny eggs, often on or near a food source for the future larvae.
• Larva: After hatching, the larva emerges. This stage is usually focused on eating and growing. Larvae look very different from adult beetles.
• Pupa: Once the larva is big enough, it changes into a pupa. During this stage, the beetle transforms inside a protective casing. It doesn't eat or move much.
• Adult: Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult's main job is to reproduce and lay new eggs, continuing the life cycle.

See also

• In Spanish: Mordella weiseri para niños