Golden Tortoise BeetleCharidotella sexpunctata
Quick facts
- Rarity
- Rare
- Active during
- Morning
- Found in
- Strawbend Fields
- Length
- 0.25 in
- Wingspan
- 0.2 in
From the field notes
Diet
Both larvae and adults feed almost exclusively on morning glories and sweet potato vines. They munch through the leaves in tight circles, leaving behind distinctive, tiny round hole-punch patterns.
Fecal Defense
The little larvae stack their own frass (bug poop) and shed skins onto a specialized fork above their backs as an unappetizing umbrella that deters predators.
The Shell
Its colorful core is covered by a completely transparent outer shell (elytra). To predators scanning for telltale legs or antennae, this clear dome makes the beetle look like a harmless water drop.
Color Changing
When feeling calm and hydrated, they shine like a drop of liquid gold. But if they are startled, they rapidly shift the fluid in their shell to turn a spotted reddish-brown to mimic a toxic ladybug.
Field Marks
They look exactly like a tiny golden tortoise under a clear glass dome. Their shell reflects light so intensely that it easily catches your eye on morning glory leaves.