Temognatha alternata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temognatha alternata |
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| Temognatha alternata Cooktown, Australia | |
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T. alternata
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| Temognatha alternata Lumholtz, 1889
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Temognatha alternata is a special kind of beetle found only in Queensland, Australia. It's known for its bright colors, but scientists don't know much about its early life. This beetle was first mentioned by a person named Lumholtz in 1889, but it was never officially described in detail.
What Does This Beetle Look Like?
This amazing beetle can grow up to 26 millimeters long. That's about the length of your thumb! It's easy to spot because of its bright yellow and red stripes. These colorful stripes are on its greenish-blue wing covers, which are called elytra. The beetle's head and the part behind its head (called the thorax) are a dark blue-green color. If you look closely at its wing covers, you'll see tiny rows of fine pits. These pits make the wing covers look a bit grooved or furrowed.
Where Does the Temognatha alternata Live and What Does It Eat?
Scientists haven't yet discovered where this beetle lays its eggs. They also don't know what its young, called larvae, eat. However, adult Temognatha alternata beetles have been seen eating from the flowers of certain trees. These trees include the Eucalyptus gummifera and E. polycarpa.
One researcher, Lumholtz, found these adult beetles near the Herbert River in northern Queensland in December 1882. Later, other researchers saw them feeding on flowers in areas like Cairns, Mareeba, Bowen, Ayr, and Mt. Molloy in north-eastern Queensland.
The egg, larva, and pupa stages of this beetle have not yet been described by scientists. This means there's still a lot to learn about the full life cycle of this beautiful insect!
See also
In Spanish: Temognatha alternata para niños
