The Cassidinae (tortoise and leaf-mining beetles) are a subfamily of the leaf beetles, or Chrysomelidae.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. Green Tortoise Beetle – Photo by: Ton Rulkens. The western subspecies of the clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata testudinaria (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). It is likely that mating is similar to other known tortoise beetles. 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). On top of that they wear an armor of sorts - it's black and shaped sort of like a frog on a clear shield. These fascinating creatures have two layers. One is the green underlayer with the legs and antennae. Entomologist Dr. Art Evans and VPM radio producer Steve Clark discuss the finer points of the defense strategies employed by the clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata (Fabricius) and its larva. This top area then molts off and the underneath part goes on with life. Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario. Clavate Tortoise Beetles missed out on this fun though. Pictured above is a larva of the Clavate Tortoise Beetle. So snugly bird droppings I guess. The larva is the slightly bristly green lump. Size: clavate: 7mm / thistle: 10mm: Cassida rubiginosa is commonly known as the "Thistle tortoise beetle" – larvae and adults feed mainly on several species of thistle (Carduus, Cirsium, Onopordum spp.) Clavate tortoise beetle is a part of the tortoise and mining beetle subfamily of the leaf beetle family. Clavate Tortoise Beetle. Clavate tortoise beetle is fairly common in North and Central America. The female beetle, after mating, deposits more than 250 eggs within 2-5 days from attaining maturity. I just found this very small, flat bug on the wall inside my walkout basement apartment. It can be found throughout the east, central, and southern United States. Tortoise Beetle - The Clavate Tortoise Beetle or Plagiometriona clavata is in the Tortoise Beetle tribe of Cassidini. This […] They lay single eggs on either surface of a leaf, after which, it is covered by a golden brown shaded, transparent membrane, resembling a … Adults mate and females lay eggs on the host plant. plus knapweed (Centaurea spp.) To me, their coloration and texture resemble bird droppings. Canada Number 6983. In the United States it occurs from the northeast to the Great Plains. Green Tortoise Beetle. It flew when I tried to remove it. Plagiometriona clavata, the clavate tortoise beetle, is originally from the Nearctic region. Plagiometriona clavata : Tortoise Beetle feeding on leaf of Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii), Aug. 2008, near Mesquite Wash, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA.. Chrysomelidae -- Leaf Beetle Family: Like their reptilian namesakes, tortoise beetles hunker down when threatened. They are found in major parts of North America and live up to their name since these beetles replicate a tortoise… I’ve never seen one before and am curious to know what it is! The dark pattern against the translucent background also has a a teddy bear appearance. This is a clavate tortoise beetle, Plagiometriona clavata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). How to Get Rid of Golden Tortoise Beetles. and a few other weedy composite plants. 6983. It is easily recognized by the wrinkled upper surface with a dark teddy bear-like pattern. To keep the golden tortoise beetle from treating your garden like a salad buffet, and to keep you and your family safe from chemicals, the most natural solution is Neem Bliss.