Mordellistena candelabra facts for kids

The Mordellistena candelabra is a tiny type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles called Mordellistena. These beetles are part of a larger family known as Mordellidae. A scientist named Ray first described this specific beetle in 1939.

What is a Mordellistena Candelabra Beetle?

The Mordellistena candelabra is a small, often dark-colored beetle. Like all beetles, it has a tough outer shell. This shell protects its body. Beetles are known for their hard wing covers. These covers protect the delicate flying wings underneath.

Beetle Basics: What Makes a Beetle a Beetle?

Beetles are insects. They have six legs and two antennae. Their bodies are divided into three main parts. These are the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Beetles are the largest group of insects. There are hundreds of thousands of different kinds! They live in almost every part of the world.

Where Do These Beetles Live?

Mordellistena beetles, including the candelabra species, are often found in places with lots of plants. They might live in meadows, forests, or gardens. They prefer areas where they can find flowers. This is because many of them visit flowers for food.

What Do Mordellistena Beetles Eat?

Many Mordellistena beetles are known to feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. They play a small role in pollination. This means they help plants make seeds. Some types of Mordellistena larvae (young beetles) might live inside plant stems. They might feed on the plant's tissues.

The Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all insects, beetles go through different stages. This is called metamorphosis. It's how they change from a young form to an adult. The life cycle usually has four main stages.

From Egg to Adult

First, the female beetle lays tiny eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae. Larvae often look like small worms. They spend their time eating and growing. After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. The pupa stage is like a resting stage. Inside the pupa, the beetle transforms. Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult beetle is ready to find a mate and lay its own eggs. This completes the life cycle.

See also

In Spanish: Mordellistena para niños