A really, really cute bug!

 

 

Tortoise Beetles Insects By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer Printer Friendly Version Orange Tortoise Beetle On A Green Plant Image by Henrik_L Tortoise beetles are small, oval, turtle-shaped beetles that survive by chewing their way through the foliage of various plants. Fortunately, the pests usually aren’t present in large enough numbers to do serious damage, but they may chew unsightly holes throughout plant leaves. Read on for more information and tips for tortoise beetle control. Tortoise Beetle Facts Measuring only about l/4 inch (6 mm.), adult tortoise beetles are odd little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators. For example, tortoise beetles have hard wing covers that they can clamp down tightly against a leaf surface. The covers also hide the head and legs, which makes the beetles more difficult for predators to grab hold of. Tortoise beetles are often dark in color, but many have a distinctive metallic coloration – usually gold or orange – sometimes with black or red markings. They can actually alter their metallic color to blend in with the leaf surface. The larvae, which are dull brown, green, or yellow with dark heads, have their own unique protective mechanism – they can glue debris, discarded skin, and poo together to form a sort of protective umbrella known as an anal fork. What Do Tortoise Beetles Eat? Tortoise beetles feed on various plants, including: Cabbage Strawberries Raspberries Corn Milkweed Eggplant However, some species feast primarily on plants in the sweet potato family. This is generally where tortoise beetles do the most damage.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Tortoise Beetle Control: Learn How To Get Rid Of Tortoise Beetles https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/tortoise-beetle-control.htm

 Tortoise Beetles Insects By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer

 Tortoise beetles are small, oval, turtle-shaped beetles that survive by chewing their way through the foliage of various plants. Fortunately, the pests usually aren’t present in large enough numbers to do serious damage, but they may chew unsightly holes throughout plant leaves. 

 Tortoise Beetle Facts:

 Measuring only about l/4 inch (6 mm.), adult tortoise beetles are odd little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators. For example, tortoise beetles have hard wing covers that they can clamp down tightly against a leaf surface. The covers also hide the head and legs, which makes the beetles more difficult for predators to grab hold of. Tortoise beetles are often dark in color, but many have a distinctive metallic coloration – usually gold or orange – sometimes with black or red markings. They can actually alter their metallic color to blend in with the leaf surface. The larvae, which are dull brown, green, or yellow with dark heads, have their own unique protective mechanism – they can glue debris, discarded skin, and poo together to form a sort of protective umbrella known as an anal fork

. What Do Tortoise Beetles Eat? 

Tortoise beetles feed on various plants, including: Cabbage Strawberries Raspberries Corn Milkweed Eggplant However, some species feast primarily on plants in the sweet potato family. This is generally where tortoise beetles do the most damage.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Tortoise Beetle Control: Learn How To Get Rid Of Tortoise Beetles https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/tortoise-beetle-control.htm

 

 Tortoise beetles own their name to the carapace under which they can find shelter like a tortoise, with the difference that their carapace can open for flight. This species with a ruby ring on gold ground is from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador

 

 :o)