Tortoise beetle
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 Cassida viridis
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many; see text |
The tortoise beetles (Cassidini) are a tribe within the leaf beetle subfamily Hispinae. In past classifications, they have been variously placed as a family ("Cassidae") or a subfamily (Cassidinae). Their common name arose from the superficial resemblance some species bear to tortoises, the elytra being analogised with the aforementioned reptile's carapace.
Golden Tortoise Beetles can be found on Morning Glory leaves which are their favorite food. They look like tiny jewels, or golden ladybugs, until you startle them or pick them up. Then they suddenly lose their golden color and become clear, revealing a ladybug type of red coloring with black spots. This color change is accomplished by certain valves which force and release moisture under the shell.
[edit] Selected Genera
- Aspidomorpha
- Cassida
- Chiridula
- Conchyloctenia
- Hypocassida
- Ischyronota
- Macromonycha
- Odontota
- Oocassida
- Oxylepus
- Pilemostoma
[edit] External links
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