Mordellistena bella facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mordellistena bella |
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The Mordellistena bella is a tiny, interesting beetle that belongs to a group of beetles called Mordellistena. It's part of the Mordellidae family, which are often called "tumbling flower beetles" because of how they move. This specific beetle was first described by a scientist named Kirsch in 1866.
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All About the Mordellistena Bella Beetle
The Mordellistena bella is a type of beetle, which means it's an insect with a hard outer shell. Beetles make up the largest group of insects on Earth! They are known for their strong, protective wing covers, called elytra, which protect their delicate flying wings underneath.
What is a Beetle?
Beetles are insects that have four wings, but only two are used for flying. The front two wings are hard and shell-like; they cover and protect the back wings and the beetle's body. This hard shell helps protect them from dangers like predators or getting squashed. Beetles go through a complete metamorphosis, meaning they change a lot during their life, from egg to larva, then pupa, and finally to an adult.
Where Do Tumbling Flower Beetles Live?
Mordellistena bella belongs to the Mordellidae family, often found in places where there are lots of flowers. These beetles are usually quite small, often only a few millimeters long. They get their nickname "tumbling flower beetles" because they are very active and can quickly tumble or jump when they are on flowers. They are often seen on flowers, especially during sunny days.
What Do They Eat?
Most adult tumbling flower beetles, including the Mordellistena bella, feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. This makes them important pollinators, helping plants reproduce by carrying pollen from one flower to another. The larvae (young beetles) of these beetles often live inside the stems of plants or in decaying wood, where they feed on the plant material.
Life Cycle of Beetles
Like all beetles, the Mordellistena bella goes through four main stages in its life:
- Egg: The life cycle begins when the female beetle lays tiny eggs, often on or near plants.
- Larva: After hatching, the eggs turn into larvae. These larvae are usually worm-like and spend their time eating and growing. For Mordellistena beetles, the larvae might live inside plant stems.
- Pupa: Once the larva has grown enough, it changes into a pupa. During this stage, the beetle doesn't move much, but amazing changes are happening inside as it transforms into an adult.
- Adult: Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult beetle's main job is to find a mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.
