Tortoise beetle
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Tortoise Beetles
| image = Cassida viridis01.jpg
| image_caption = Cassida viridis
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Arthropoda
| classis = Insecta
| ordo = Coleoptera
| subordo = Polyphaga
| superfamilia = Chrysomeloidea
| familia = Chrysomelidae
| subfamilia = Cassidinae
| subfamilia_authority = Stephens, 1831
| subdivision_ranks = Tribes
| subdivision =
Aspidimorphini
Basiprionotini
Cassidini
Delocranini
Dorynotini
Eugenysini
Goniocheniini
Hemosphaerotini
Notosacanthini
Omocerini
Physenotini
Spilophorini
Stolaini
}}
The tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) are a subfamily of the leaf beetles, or Chrysomelidae. Their common name arose from the superficial resemblance some species bear to tortoises, the elytra being analogised with the aforesaid 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.