Phaea howdenorum facts for kids

Phaea howdenorum is a fascinating type of beetle that belongs to a family called Cerambycidae. This beetle was first described by a scientist named Chemsak in 1999. You can find Phaea howdenorum living in the warm, tropical country of Panama.

What is a Beetle?

Beetles are amazing insects that make up the largest group of living things on Earth! There are over 400,000 different kinds of beetles. They are known for their tough outer shell, called an exoskeleton. This shell protects their soft bodies. Most beetles also have two pairs of wings. The front pair are hard and shell-like, covering the delicate flying wings underneath.

Longhorn Beetles

Phaea howdenorum is part of the Cerambycidae family, which are often called "longhorn beetles." These beetles get their name from their very long antennae. Their antennae are usually as long as or even longer than their bodies! Longhorn beetles come in many sizes and colors. They are found all over the world.

What Longhorn Beetles Eat

Most longhorn beetles, including those in the Phaea genus, are herbivores. This means they eat plants. Adult longhorn beetles often feed on pollen, nectar, or the sap from trees. Their larvae, which are the young beetles, usually live inside wood. They tunnel through the wood, eating it as they grow. This can sometimes help break down dead trees in forests.

Where Phaea howdenorum Lives

Phaea howdenorum is found in Panama. Panama is a country in Central America. It connects North and South America. Panama is famous for its rainforests and tropical climate. These warm, humid conditions are perfect for many types of insects, including beetles. The rich plant life in Panama provides plenty of food and habitat for beetles like Phaea howdenorum.

Beetle Life Cycle

Like many insects, beetles go through a process called metamorphosis. This means they change completely during their life. A beetle's life cycle has four main stages:

• Egg: The life cycle begins when a female beetle lays tiny eggs.
• Larva: The eggs hatch into larvae. These are often worm-like and are sometimes called grubs. They spend their time eating and growing.
• Pupa: After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. During this stage, the beetle rests and transforms inside a protective casing.
• Adult: Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult beetle can then fly, find a mate, and lay its own eggs, starting the cycle again.

See also

In Spanish: Phaea howdenorum para niños