Neurotus quercus-baccarum

Neurotus quercus-baccarum is a type of bug that's very small, so small you could hardly see it with your own eyes! It's called a beetle and it likes to hang around oak trees and eat their acorns. Do you know what an acorn is? It's like a little nut that grows on oak trees and some animals, like squirrels, like to eat them. Well, this beetle likes acorns too!

This beetle is a very important part of the ecosystem because it helps to break down the acorns and turn them into soil. Soil is what plants need to grow big and strong, so the Neurotus quercus-baccarum beetle is helping the oak trees grow and thrive.

Scientists are very interested in this beetle because they want to know more about how it helps the environment. They study the beetle to learn things like what it eats, where it lives, and how it helps the soil. By studying this beetle, they can learn important information that could help protect the environment and make sure that oak trees continue to grow and stay healthy.