Tomoxia psotai facts for kids

Tomoxia psotai is a type of small beetle. It belongs to a group of beetles called Tomoxia. These beetles are part of a larger family known as Mordellidae. A scientist named Ray first described this particular species in 1936.

What is Tomoxia psotai?

Tomoxia psotai is a fascinating insect. It is a type of beetle, which means it has a hard outer shell. Beetles are the largest group of insects on Earth. They have been around for millions of years. This specific beetle is quite small. It is known for its unique body shape.

About Mordellidae Beetles

Tomoxia psotai is part of the Mordellidae family. These beetles are often called "tumbling flower beetles." They get this name because of how they move. When disturbed, they often tumble or jump around. They do this to escape from danger.

What Do They Look Like?

Tumbling flower beetles, including Tomoxia psotai, have a special shape. Their bodies are wedge-shaped. This means they are wider at the front and narrower at the back. They also have a pointed abdomen. This pointed end is a key feature of this beetle family. Their colors can vary. Many are dark, like black or brown. Some might have patterns or metallic colors.

Where Do They Live?

These beetles are found in many parts of the world. They often live in places with lots of flowers. You might find them in meadows or gardens. They prefer areas where they can find their food easily. They are usually active during the day.

What Do They Eat?

Adult tumbling flower beetles mostly eat pollen and nectar. They visit flowers to find these foods. This makes them important for pollination. They help plants reproduce. The larvae, or young beetles, have a different diet. They often live inside decaying wood. Some larvae might live in plant stems. They feed on the decaying plant material.

Life Cycle of a Beetle

Like all insects, Tomoxia psotai goes through a life cycle. This process is called complete metamorphosis. It has four main stages. These stages are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage looks very different from the others.

From Egg to Adult

The life cycle begins when an adult female beetle lays eggs. She usually lays them on or near a food source. For Tomoxia beetles, this might be decaying wood or plant stems. The eggs hatch into larvae. Larvae are often worm-like. They spend their time eating and growing. They shed their skin several times as they grow. This process is called molting.

Once a larva is fully grown, it changes into a pupa. The pupa stage is a resting stage. During this time, the beetle transforms. Its body changes from a larva's shape to an adult's shape. This transformation happens inside a protective casing. Finally, the adult beetle emerges from the pupa. The adult beetle will then find a mate. It will also lay eggs to start the cycle again.

How Beetles Are Studied

Scientists who study insects are called entomologists. They observe and classify different species. This helps us understand the natural world better. Tomoxia psotai was first described in 1936. This means a scientist officially named and documented it.

Who Was Ray?

The scientist who described Tomoxia psotai was named Ray. When a new species is found, the scientist who describes it gets their name added to the species' scientific name. This is why you see "Ray, 1936" after Tomoxia psotai. It tells us who discovered and named this specific beetle and when. Describing new species is an important part of biology. It helps us keep track of all the different living things on Earth.