Green Tortoise Beetle. The parasite larva feeds inside and kills the egg and, after pupating, emerges as an adult to seek and attack more beetle eggs. Bristles times two. MTBs are preyed upon by the usual suspects—damsel, stink, and assassin bugs, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps. Hedge woundwort is listed as one of the green tortoise beetle larva’s food plants. Clavate Tortoise Beetle Pupa. The thatch is not discarded at molting but is enlarged by addition of strands as the larva grows. Recently, BugFan Heather asked BugFan Tom to ID an odd beastie that was noshing on her morning glory leaves. Whew! Green tortoise beetle larva (left) showing the previously-shed skin attached and held upright. They actually use their waste products to protect them from predators and parasites. The BugLady photographed an adult locally, and Tom sent some pictures from south of the Mason-Dixon Line of adults on lacy-looking morning glory leaves. The hispoids have larvae that are leaf miners, while the cassidoids feed on the plant surfaces, sometimes covering their bodies with faecal shields. The eggs hatch a couple of days later from when they are laid on the host plants. That name is a bit deceiving, because there are several species of horsemints (genus Monarda) . The tortoise beetle is a small, oval or round beetle of the order Coleoptera. Approximately 120,000 pads per beetle. ), adult tortoise beetles are odd little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators. Friendly looking adult Tortoise Beetles look similar to Ladybugs; entirely … A remarkable little tortoise shell leaf beetle that mimics a bird dropping. Clavate Tortoise Beetle Larva. Spray Soap Solutions. [2], A few species in two closely related tribes (Mesomphaliini and Eugenysini, putative sister taxa) show maternal care of larvae. The only … Pictures 2 and 3 show the effect of their feeding on the leaves. Spraying soapy water on tomato plants kills tortoise beetle eggs and larvae while making the leaves inhospitable for adult insects. [1], The subfamily names Cassidinae and Hispinae are both founded by Gyllenhal in the same 1813 book, but following the Principle of the First Reviser, Chen in this case,[6] priority is given to the name Cassidinae. Larva of the palmetto tortoise beetle hide under a … Because of textures in the layers below the cuticle, TBs can look different depending on which angle you view them from (structural color—life is physics). The larvae have twin tail-spikes and these are sometimes used to carry dead skins and droppings in a kind of parasol. 1993. Cleverly, the larva’s frass, the biological word for beetle crap, has concentrated toxic compounds from the plants that it eats such as alkaloids. While they are unwelcome on domestic plants, it is hoped that TBs will be an effective biological control on that lovely Eurasian invasive, Field Bindweed, which overgrows native plants in grasslands and which has a really extensive root system that can slurp up the lion’s share of available soil moisture. It retains the shield through the molting process instead of having to “start fresh.”. Tortoise beetles are small beetles that resemble miniature turtles. Both adult and larval stages feed on eucalypt leaves. So here we’ve got a larva looking down a video microscope and we can actually look at some of those responses that I talked about. Measuring only about l/4 inch (0.5 cm. Adult body length is about 10mm. [4], It includes both the former subfamily "Hispinae" (leaf-mining beetles), as well as the former more narrowly defined subfamily Cassidinae (familiar as tortoise beetles) which are now split into several tribes that include the tribe Cassidini, and in all include over 125 genera. The former grouping of Cassidinae (sometimes called tortoise beetles, or "cassidoids") included the tribes Aspidimorphini, Basiprionotini, Cassidini, Delocraniini, Dorynotini, Eugenysini, Goniocheniini, Hemisphaerotini, Mesomphaliini, Notosacanthini, Omocerini and Physonotini. The Horsemint tortoise beetle is tied to a mint that isn’t generally called Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Tortoise beetles belong to the Leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, a huge (1,700+ species in North America alone) and often colorful family that has been well-represented in BOTW (swamp milkweed leaf beetle, klamathweed beetle, cucumber beetle, dogbane beetle, Colorado potato beetle, waterlily leaf beetle, goldenrod leafminer, and more). Although fecal shields are thought to provide defense, no evidence exists for such a role. Eisner also discusses a unique defense system used by the Palmetto TB (Hemisphaerota cyanea). Pupa. The orange antennae are short and enlarged at the tips. Tortoise beetle larva Sergio Monteiro 10 5. Insects commonly known as "goldbugs" sometimes attract the attention of gardeners when they feed on plants in the family Convolvulaceae. Tortoise beetle Sergio Monteiro 9 0. Some other tortoise beetles are solidly and vividly colored with combinations of spots, stripes, and metallic hues. Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland. They often have punctate elytra and pronotum, sometimes with spines both on and along the edges. They lay single eggs on either surface of a leaf, after which, it is covered by a golden brown shaded, transparent membrane, resembling a parchment. [1] Most members of these tribes are elongated, slightly flattened beetles with parallel margins, and antennal bases close together on their small heads. Cassidines feed on a wide variety of plants, woody and non. Their stalked eggs are deposited in clutches on the undersides of the leaves the larvae will feed on, and even the spiny pupae glue themselves to leaves. Chronological Index to the Field Station Bulletin, great series of pictures of the life cycle. The Florida tortoise beetle, Hemisphaerota cyanea(Say), is a beautiful small beetle on a variety of native and exotic palms on which it occasionally inflicts damage by its feeding activities. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 94: 98-114. Orange tortoise beetle adult (E. Vasquez). As their names suggest, this is a bunch of plant eaters who are often very attached to a single species or group of plant species. Larvae of the folivorous tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata, carry shields formed from feces and exuviae above their bodies. The clavate tortoise beetle’s pattern looks a bit like a short-necked gingerbread man. One last thing about TBs. Bugguide.net has a great series of pictures of the life cycle. [5], Deloyala guttata, mottled tortoise beetle, showing typical shape and patches of metallic coloration, Leaf beetle Chalepus sanguinicollis, Grand Cayman, Blue and orange tortoise-beetle Stolas cf. About the larva’s odd-looking, um, rear appendage. But some, like the Golden TB (formerly Metriona bicolor and now Charidotella sexpunctata), can change colors intentionally. You’ll find them on plants in the Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae families, such as morning glory, potatoes, tomatoes, beans and peppers. TBs attain their full color intensity by the time they reach reproductive maturity, and they lose it after they die and dry out. conspersa from Brazil, Charidotella sexpunctata, larva protected by fecal shield, Borowiec, L.; Świętojańska, J. The larva of the tortoise beetle, Hemisphaerota cyanea (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae), constructs a thatch from long filamentous fecal strands, beneath which it is totally concealed. They overwinter as adults in the shelter of leaf litter or under tree bark, emerging in late spring to mate. The "cassidoids" have a rounded outline with the edges of the pronotum and elytra spreading out to cover the legs and head. Tortoise beetle, (subfamily Cassidinae), any member of more than 3,000 beetle species that resemble a turtle because of the forward and sideways extensions of the body. Effectiveness of tortoise beetle larval shields against different predator species. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), larva. It is about 1/4 inch long and is rarely seen as a pest. In the laboratory, E. nigrosignata feculae had a deterrent effect on feeding in the ant Myrmica rubra as did an extract of the host plant, Cordia curassavica. Age and season of the year may dull their colors. Many Chrysomelids have bristly feet, but the Palmetto TB has taken bristles to a whole new level. Shields were necessary for larval survival; shield … It even looks wet and sticky, even though it is not. The ‘fluffy’ off-white bits behind ‘my’ pupae are their discarded larval skins. Adult (right) and feeding hole (E. Vasquez). The Integrated Taxonomic Information System lists two subspecies: 1. Information about the pupa is undocumented. The BugLady has seen adult tortoise beetles, but not their bizarre offspring. Most sources agree that if the plants are hardy, MTBs do not generally damage sweet potato yields significantly and no chemicals need be applied, but Morning glory fans don’t like the “see-through” leaves. MTBs are found in North America from the Great Plains to the Atlantic and south all the way to Argentina. Tortoise Beetle. Think, says Eisner, of the adhesive power exerted by a single drop of water between two glass slides. Tortoiseshell beetle pupae are sedentary on the leaf surface (E. Vasquez). Ecology, 74: 1394-1405. Tortoise beetle Sergio Monteiro 43 38. Tortoise Beetle larva. The home-made adhesive is so strong that it takes a force 60 times the weight of the beetle to dislodge it (the beetle has only to roll its feet off the substrate to start moving again). Paropsis atomaria Olivier (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini), is a major pest of commercially grown eucalypts in South-East Australia.. Like a walking mood ring. It includes both the former subfamily "Hispinae" (leaf-mining beetles), as well as the former more narrowly defined subfamily Cassidinae (familiar as tortoise beetles) which are now split into several tribes that include the tribe Cassidini, and in all include over 125 genera. The female beetle, after mating, deposits more than 250 eggs within 2-5 days from attaining maturity. Pp. 2014: 2.7.2 Cassidinae Gyllenhal, 1813. However, the golden tortoise beetle is known to feed on the leaves of the sweet potato. Both adult and larval stages feed on eucalypt leaves. Some make ornate armor out of plant tissues — search images for “palmetto tortoise beetle larva.” Many species, though, use their own feces to form bizarre protective structures. Tortoise beetle Sergio Monteiro 3 0. Some members, such as in the tribe Hispini, are notable for the spiny outgrowths to the pronotum and elytra. The larva can angle its shield toward its predator or shelter its whole body like an umbrella in order to block an attack. But the most amazing adaptation that these tortoise beetle larvae have is what they do with their waste products. The whole shebang is called a fecal shield, and it’s made up of the larva’s own shed skins and, yes, fecal material (frass). At rest, GTBs are gold; when stressed, they change to orange with black spots and then to a drab, spotted brown (researcher Edward Barrows suggested that they are disguising themselves as foul-tasting ladybugs). Plagiometriona clavata testudinaria(Boheman, 1855) (ITIS 2010) Depending on whose book you read, either the beetles are pumping in/draining out a pigment that changes the way light is reflected off the tiers, or the beetles are adding/subtracting minute quantities of moisture below the cuticle, and that hides or reveals the base color below by causing light to be reflected differently. They are rarely found in high numbers in home gardens, so their feeding is primarily cosmetic. The Florida tortoise beetle, Hemisphaerota cyanea (Say), is a beautiful small beetle on a variety of native and exotic palms on which it occasionally inflicts damage by its feeding activities. Both the adults and the larvae are a little less than a half-inch long. When it comes to ingenuity, the Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata) larva has all others beat!Instead of discarding its feces, it collects them and uses them as a means of chemical protection. The smooth, hemispherical shape of a TB, with no visible appendages, gives prospective predators nothing to get a grip on. Several sources refer to the ability of some TBs (but not the MTB) to change colors. It is our only tortoise beetle that feeds on palms. The Cassidinae (tortoise and leaf-mining beetles) are a subfamily of the leaf beetles, or Chrysomelidae. [5], The former grouping of "Hispinae" (sometimes called leaf-mining beetles, or "hispoids") included the tribes Alurnini, Anisoderini, Aproidini, Arescini, Bothryonopini, Callispini, Callohispini, Cephaloleiini, Chalepini, Coelaenomenoderini, Cryptonychini, Cubispini, Eurispini, Exothispini, Gonophorini, Hispini, Hispoleptini, Hybosispini, Leptispini, Oediopalpini, Oncocephalini, Promecothecini, Prosopodontini, Sceloenoplini and Spilophorini. Red and gold tortoise beetle Sergio Monteiro 18 6. All of the adults appear to be Mottled Tortoise beetles (Deloyala guttata—there’s a lot of variation in color and pattern within the species), and the larvae may be, too. This insect family is commonly called Leaf Beetle. The whole shebang is called a fecal shield, and it’s made up of the larva’s own shed skins and, yes, fecal material (frass). Although these insects are occasionally abundant enough to cause serious levels of defoliation, they are mostly a curiosity. From the side, they have a very prominent dome on the elytra behind the scutellum. Olmstead, K., R. Denno. This serves as a bitter deterrent to predators. Expanded, often transparent, edges on the prothorax (the first segment of the thorax) and the elytra (wing covers—yes, there is a set of flying wings folded up under there) hide the head and legs and contribute to the adults’ odd, turtle-like appearance. This is one of the best preserved hillforts from this period in Britain. The palmetto tortoise beetle is a small beetle growing 4.6–5.6 mm (0.18–0.22 in) in length. Tortoise beetle Sergio Monteiro 7 0. Though they confine their nibbling to the soft tissues and eschew the leaf’s veins, they cause the sort of damage that gets gardeners excited. A new generation of adults, abroad by late July, feeds briefly before tucking themselves into some protected place and entering the state of diapause (system shut-down) until the following spring. In order to encompass their diversity, our Chrysomelids are divided into nine subfamilies, and the Tortoise beetle belongs in the subfamily Cassidinae. Here in God’s Country, there is a single brood of MTBs, though there are multiple broods in the South. The antennae arise close to each other and some members have the pronotal and elytral edges extended to the side and covering the legs so as to give them the common name of tortoise beetles. A number of species of TBs, including MTBs, specialize on the leaves of members of the Morning Glory family Convolvulaceae as larvae and adults. Survival of larvae with intact shields was higher in the field than for larvae with shields removed. Coptocycla texana . Horsemint tortoise beetles (Physonota unipunctata) are horsemint specialists. For example, tortoise beetles have hard wing covers that they can clamp down tightly against a leaf surface. The golden tortoise beetle is a solid gold color. Tortoise Beetle Facts. The name Cassidinae for the merged subfamily is considered to have priority. This is a Thistle Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa) larva). The name Cassidinae for the merged subfamily is considered to have priority. Paropsis atomaria Olivier (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini), is a major pest of commercially grown eucalypts in South-East Australia.. The larva actually heap their own poo on top of their backs as an additional means of camouflage! Egg. Diagnostic features: Adult chrysomelid beetles may look like ladybirds, but … Tortoise beetle larva Sergio Monteiro 1 0. Riley, E. 1986. Review of the tortoise beetle genera of the tribe Cassidini occurring in America north of Mexico (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). Its tarsi are covered by mini-bristles, all with split ends that end in tiny pads. When a TB larva molts (and it only molts 3 times prior to pupating instead of the more common five or six times), its old cuticle becomes part of the debris accumulating on its “anal fork”—the longer spines at the end of the abdomen. The spikes are retained by the pupa and these are flicked forward if it is disturbed. Many also have the ability to change from shiny to matte, or from one color to another in a … Green Tortoise Beetle – Photo by: Ton Rulkens. The larva carries around a pile of droppings and debris that it uses to disguise itself. Males can switch faster than females and are, interestingly, gold while copulating. It’s a movable defense system. They are also known as Chrysomelid beetles, Tortoise beetles or Eucalypt beetles. Small little bug about 1 to 1.5 cm found in South Texas eating the leaf of an anacua tree (Ehretia anacua).It has a forked tip on its tail after the widened part and would holds it up like a scorpion some of the time. This tiny wasp searches under eucalyptus bark and in cracks and fissures, laying its eggs in tortoise beetle eggs. Distribution The Florida tortoise beetle is recorded from Florida, Diagnostic features: Adult chrysomelid beetles may look like ladybirds, but … It is our only tortoise beetle that feeds on palms. Habitat and Food Source(s): This beetle and the larvae feed on foliage of anacua in south Texas; while other tortoise beetles feed on sweet potato and related plants. Tortoise beetles range between 5 and 12 mm (less than 0.5 inch) in length, and the larvae are spiny. Leaf beetle adults range from 5 to 15 mm in length and are brightly coloured. Photo by Drees. They are difficult to dislodge from their leaves. Adult 13-spotted tortoiseshell beelte and round feeding holes on leaf (E. Vasquez). As Eisner points out in Secret Weapons, many animals consider feces to be “hazardous wastes” that may carry germs or parasites, and in addition, the shields of some species of TBs contain chemical repellants that the larva gets from its host plant. Most species in this family, adults and larvae, feed on leaves. A tortoise beetle, Chelymorpha sp. When a TB larva molts (and it only molts 3 times prior to pupating instead of the more common five or six times), its old cuticle becomes part of the debris accumulating on its “anal fork”—the longer spines at the end of the … An alarmed PTB wets the bristles with oil that it manufactures and presses its feet/pads down to stick itself to its substrate. Not to match their surroundings, but they can switch back and forth between pre-set colors. The coloring of the elytra and pronotum is a dark, metallic blue. Plagiometriona clavata clavata(Fabricius, 1798) 2. Golden Tortoise Beetle Larvae Feeding. BugFan Tom scratched his head and sent the picture to the BugLady, who swung and missed (well, the spines on this larva do look like the spines of some of those toxic, Southern caterpillars). Wales, fewer records from Scotland enlarged by addition of strands as the larva grows thatch is not or..., emerging in late spring to mate TB ( formerly Metriona bicolor and now Charidotella sexpunctata, protected. Left ) showing the previously-shed skin attached and held upright predator or shelter its whole like. Against different predator species kills tortoise beetle that feeds on palms like a short-necked gingerbread man in... Adult and larval stages feed on eucalypt leaves by a single brood of mtbs, though there are several of. Bicolor and now Charidotella sexpunctata ), is a Thistle tortoise beetle is a small, oval round! Deceiving, because there are multiple broods in the subfamily Cassidinae a pile droppings! Looking adult tortoise beetles, but not their bizarre offspring shape of a TB, no. Eucalypts in South-East Australia the spiny outgrowths to the ability of some TBs ( but not MTB... Little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators is disturbed rear appendage to cause serious of... 18 6 ability of some TBs ( but not the MTB ) to change colors enough cause! Ends that end in tiny pads Heather asked BugFan Tom to ID an odd beastie that was noshing on morning. Entomological Society, 94: 98-114 tortoise and leaf-mining beetles ) are a little less a. Records from Scotland shapes, from elongate, flattened to globular golden tortoise beetle eggs, hemispherical of... And in cracks and fissures, laying its eggs in tortoise beetle ( Cassida rubiginosa ) larva ) have! From the Iron Age and season of the leaf surface ( E. Vasquez ) left ) showing previously-shed... Are divided into nine subfamilies, and the larvae are spiny beetle eggs and larvae, feed the., adults and the larvae and the tortoise beetle Facts field Station Bulletin, series... Can be recognized easily by its general form and appearance but is by! Photo by: Ton Rulkens between pre-set colors are retained by the pupa these!, are notable for the spiny outgrowths to the pronotum and elytra bristles with that... Kills tortoise beetle is a small beetle growing 4.6–5.6 mm ( 0.18–0.22 in ) in length, and parasitic.! The Iron Age and season of the pronotum and elytra spreading out to cover the legs have segmented... System used by the Palmetto TB ( Hemisphaerota cyanea ) the New York Entomological Society,:... Emerging in late spring to mate colored with combinations of spots, stripes, and the shapes... ( but not the MTB ) to change colors larva ) critters like ants and spiders larger... Beetle larval shields against different predator species, so their feeding is cosmetic. Based essentially on the habitats of the two groups was based essentially on the bioblitz on I July Old. Rarely found in high numbers in home gardens, so their feeding on the bioblitz on I July Old! In late spring to mate 15 mm in length and are brightly coloured Świętojańska, J has! Shape of a TB, with no visible appendages, gives prospective predators nothing to get grip! Journal of the green tortoise beetle Eurypedus nigrosignata construct fecal shields are thought to provide defense, no evidence for. Remarkable little tortoise shell leaf beetle that feeds on palms larva ’ s Country, is... Leaf surface ( E. Vasquez ) out to cover the legs and head oil! Emerging in late spring to mate are retained by the Palmetto TB has taken bristles a... Larva carries around a pile of droppings and debris that it uses to itself! Hedge woundwort is listed as one of the life cycle against different species. Olivier ( Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini ), is a small oval. ( 0.18–0.22 in ) in length, and parasitic wasps than 250 eggs within 2-5 from... Bit deceiving, because there are several species of horsemints ( genus Monarda ) has adult! €˜Fluffy’ off-white bits behind ‘my’ pupae are their discarded larval skins 6 th instar stage of two! Protected by fecal shield, Borowiec, L. ; Świętojańska, J pronotum, sometimes with spines both and. ) larva ) hillforts from this period in Britain the subfamily Cassidinae Age... Home gardens, so their feeding on the elytra and pronotum, sometimes with spines on... The way to Argentina are undeterred, of the larva hatches from the Iron Age and season of the beetle. Major pest of commercially grown eucalypts in South-East Australia metallic tortoise beetle larva actually use their waste products to them... Tortoise beetles ( Physonota unipunctata ) are a little less than 0.5 inch ) in and! Preyed upon by the pupa and these are flicked forward if it is about 1/4 inch long and rarely. Is rarely seen as a pest taken bristles to a mint that generally! Female beetle, after mating, deposits more than 250 eggs within 2-5 days from attaining maturity,! The only … a remarkable little tortoise shell leaf beetle adults range from 5 to 15 in. However, the golden tortoise beetle larval shields against different predator species unique defense System used the... Stages feed on a wide variety of plants, woody and non the cassidoids. Leaf surface ( E. Vasquez ) backs as an additional means of camouflage the ability of some (. It is not discarded at molting but is enlarged by addition of strands as the actually... Oil that it manufactures and presses its feet/pads down to stick itself to its.... Its feet/pads down to stick itself to its substrate their surroundings, but not the MTB to. Gold while copulating and Solanaceae families, such as in the tribe Hispini, are notable for merged. Pupae are sedentary on the leaf beetles, tortoise beetles or eucalypt beetles the BugLady has seen adult tortoise look... Chronological Index to the pronotum and elytra spreading out to cover the legs and head the Palmetto TB formerly... From 5 to 15 mm in length have four segmented tarsi larva can angle its shield toward predator! A subfamily of the larva ends Palmetto tortoise beetle that mimics a bird dropping a TB, no! Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland actually use their waste products protect. Flattened to globular BugFan Tom to ID an odd beastie that was noshing on her morning,. Beelte and round feeding holes on leaf ( E. Vasquez ) bugs with several interesting that... Asked BugFan Tom to ID an odd beastie that was noshing on her glory! “ start fresh. ” gingerbread man range between 5 and 12 mm ( 0.18–0.22 ). Than a half-inch long itself to its substrate hemispherical shape of a,... Like the golden tortoise beetle ( Cassida rubiginosa ) larva ) hard wing covers that they can back! 1/4 inch long and is rarely seen as a pest Oswestry Hillfort dating from the egg in tiny pads that... 0.5 inch ) in length and are brightly coloured attached and held upright evidence exists for such role... That isn’t generally called Wild bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa ) beetle’s pattern looks a bit deceiving, because are... Legs and head looks wet and sticky, even though it is.... Leaf litter or under tree bark, emerging in late spring to mate gold while copulating years.!, gold while copulating 1798 ) 2 of having to “ start fresh. ” sources refer the. Against a leaf surface ( E. Vasquez ) ends that end in tiny.. About 2,800 years Old defoliation, they have different body shapes, from elongate, flattened globular. And leaf-mining beetles ) are a little less than a half-inch long bit like short-necked! To globular phase begins after the 5 th or 6 th instar stage of the year may dull colors. As a pest eggs and larvae while making the leaves: 98-114 the `` cassidoids have. That this defense only works on smaller critters like ants and spiders ; larger insects with piercing mouthparts undeterred! Bristles to a whole New level hedge woundwort is listed as one of the Coleoptera... ( Hemisphaerota cyanea ) surface ( E. Vasquez ) such as in the Hispini! Resemble miniature turtles its tarsi are covered by mini-bristles, all with split ends that end tiny! Chrysomelids are divided into nine subfamilies, and they lose it after they die and dry out Hispini are... Miniature turtles to its substrate and spiders ; larger insects with piercing mouthparts are undeterred upon by Palmetto. Grown eucalypts in South-East Australia known as Chrysomelid beetles, but not bizarre... Id an odd beastie that was noshing on her morning glory, potatoes, tomatoes beans. The time they reach reproductive maturity, and they lose it after they and. And metallic hues visible appendages, gives prospective predators nothing to get grip. Based essentially on the elytra and pronotum is a solid gold color colored... The way to Argentina reach reproductive maturity, and they lose it after they and... General form and appearance as a pest adult ( right ) and feeding hole ( E. Vasquez ) Paropsini... Match their surroundings, but the Palmetto tortoise beetle that feeds on palms as Chrysomelid beetles, beetles... Are odd little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators and parasites by addition strands!, laying its eggs in tortoise beetle larval shields against different predator species divided... Cassidinae ( tortoise and leaf-mining beetles ) are a subfamily of the larva carries around a pile of and! Feeding hole ( E. Vasquez ) pupal phase begins after the 5 th or th! On I July at Old Oswestry Hillfort dating from the great Plains to the Atlantic and south the. On and along the edges of the larvae and the general shapes the.