Mordellistena eversi facts for kids

Mordellistena eversi is a tiny, interesting beetle! It belongs to a group of beetles called Mordellistena and is part of the Mordellidae family. This special beetle was first described in 1965 by a scientist named Ermisch. You can only find Mordellistena eversi in one place: the beautiful Canary Islands!

What is a Beetle?

Beetles are amazing insects that make up the largest group of living things on Earth! They belong to an order called Coleoptera. There are over 400,000 different kinds of beetles known around the world.

Beetle Body Parts

Beetles have a tough outer shell that protects their bodies. This shell is made of a material called chitin. Like all insects, beetles have three main body parts:

• The head: This is where their eyes, antennae, and mouthparts are.
• The thorax: This middle section has their six legs and two pairs of wings.
• The abdomen: This is the rear part of their body, where many of their organs are.

Most beetles have two pairs of wings. The front pair, called elytra, are hard and shell-like. They protect the delicate flying wings underneath. When a beetle flies, it lifts its elytra to let the softer wings unfold and move.

Meet Mordellistena eversi

Mordellistena eversi is a type of tumbling flower beetle. These beetles get their name because they often "tumble" or jump when they are disturbed. They are usually small, often only a few millimeters long.

Appearance of Tumbling Flower Beetles

Tumbling flower beetles, like Mordellistena eversi, often have a unique shape. Their bodies are usually wedge-shaped, meaning they are wider at the front and narrower at the back. They also have a pointed abdomen that sticks out. This shape helps them move easily among flowers.

Where Does Mordellistena eversi Live?

Mordellistena eversi is endemic to the Canary Islands. This means it can only be found naturally in this specific group of islands and nowhere else in the world.

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a group of seven main islands located off the northwest coast of Africa. They are part of Spain. These islands have a warm climate and diverse landscapes, from sandy beaches to volcanic mountains. This variety of environments allows many unique plants and animals, like Mordellistena eversi, to thrive.

Why Endemic Species Are Special

Endemic species are very important because they are unique to their home. If their habitat is damaged or destroyed, these species could be lost forever. Protecting places like the Canary Islands helps to save special creatures like Mordellistena eversi.

Discovery of the Beetle

Mordellistena eversi was first officially described in 1965. A scientist named Ermisch was the one who studied this beetle and gave it its scientific name. Giving a species a scientific name helps scientists around the world identify and learn about it.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all beetles, Mordellistena eversi goes through a complete metamorphosis. This means it changes a lot during its life.

Stages of Life

The life cycle of a beetle has four main stages:

• Egg: The life cycle begins when an adult female beetle lays tiny eggs, often on plants or in the soil.
• Larva: After hatching, the egg turns into a larva. Beetle larvae are often called grubs. They spend their time eating and growing. They shed their skin several times as they get bigger.
• Pupa: Once the larva is fully grown, it changes into a pupa. During this stage, the beetle rests and transforms inside a protective casing. It doesn't eat or move much.
• Adult: Finally, the pupa changes into an adult beetle. The adult beetle's main job is to find a mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle all over again.

Why Are Beetles Important?

Beetles play many important roles in nature. They help with:

• Pollination: Some beetles visit flowers and help carry pollen, just like bees. This helps plants make seeds.
• Decomposition: Many beetles eat dead plants and animals. This helps to break down waste and recycle nutrients back into the soil.
• Pest Control: Some beetles eat other insects that might harm crops. This helps farmers protect their plants naturally.
• Food Source: Beetles are also a food source for many other animals, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals.

Mordellistena eversi, though small, is a part of this amazing beetle world and contributes to the natural balance of the Canary Islands.