Stats

Lifespan: 1-2 years
Size: Small
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate grassland
Range: South America
Movement: Walking
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Armor
Status: Rare

About

Gondwanocrypticus platensis is a tiny darkling beetle that lives in sandy habitats and leaf litter, where it helps break down decaying organic material. Fun fact: Although native to South America, this small beetle has successfully spread to other regions, including parts of the United States, making it an impressive world traveler despite being only a few millimeters long.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Tenebrionidae
Genus: Gondwanocrypticus
Species: Gondwanocrypticus platensis