Tomoxia muriniceps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tomoxia muriniceps |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Mordellidae
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| Subfamily: |
Mordellinae
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| Tribe: |
Mordellini
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| Genus: |
Tomoxia
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| Species: |
T. muriniceps
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| Binomial name | |
| Tomoxia muriniceps Sharp, 1886
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Tomoxia muriniceps is a small and interesting type of beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles called Tomoxia, which are part of the Mordellidae family. This particular beetle was first described by a scientist named David Sharp way back in 1886.
Contents
What is a Beetle?
Beetles are a huge group of insects. They make up about 25% of all known animal life forms! You can find them almost everywhere on Earth, except in the oceans and very cold polar regions.
Key Features of Beetles
Beetles have a few special features that make them unique:
- They have a hard outer shell, which is actually their front pair of wings. These hard wings are called elytra. They protect the beetle's softer body and the flying wings underneath.
- Most beetles can fly, but some cannot.
- They go through a complete life cycle, which means they change a lot as they grow.
The Mordellidae Family: Tumbling Flower Beetles
Tomoxia muriniceps is part of the Mordellidae family. These beetles are often called "tumbling flower beetles."
Why are they called Tumbling Flower Beetles?
They get their name because of how they move. When they are disturbed, they often tumble or jump around quickly. You can usually find them on flowers, where they feed on pollen.
What do Mordellidae Beetles Look Like?
- They are usually small to medium-sized.
- They often have a hump-backed shape.
- Their bodies are usually wedge-shaped.
- They have a pointed abdomen (the end part of their body) that sticks out.
The Tomoxia Genus
Tomoxia is a specific group, or genus, within the Mordellidae family. Beetles in this genus share many features with other tumbling flower beetles but have their own unique characteristics that scientists use to tell them apart.
Who Was David Sharp?
David Sharp was a famous British scientist who studied insects. He was born in 1840 and passed away in 1922. He spent a lot of his life discovering and describing new species of insects, especially beetles. His work helped us understand more about the amazing variety of life on our planet.
See also
In Spanish: Tomoxia muriniceps para niños
