Meet a bug: The Tortoise Shell Beetle

Meet the tortoise shell beetle. 

Tortoise Shell Beetle on Milkweed leaf

One day this summer, while out checking our milkweed for monarch caterpillars and eggs, I found this little guy on one of our milkweed plants in the backyard.  I thought he was beautiful!  Part of his shell shined like gold in the evening sun, with bits of irridecent rainbow mixed in, and the rest of it was clear!  I had never seen anything like it.  He certainly was not easy to take a picture of.  Maybe he was shy?  

This tortoise shell beetle is about the same size as a ladybug.  In my research, I learned some fascinating things about this little guy. 

The mom actually stays with the eggs, through the larval stage, through pupation, all the way until her entire brood of young adult tortoise shell beetles go off to live their lives - to guard and protect them from predators.  That's pretty impressive "momming" for the insect world. (Go mommy!)

Another interesting fact, when these beetles go through their larval stage, they build themselves a poop "umbrella" that they carry around with them.  I guess you could say they are a bit of a pack rat, because they also carry around their shed exoskeletons (Exuviae) all the thru each instar, until their final molt. You can even count them to see how old the larvae is. Toward the end, just before adulthood, this looks similar to a ladder.  The beetle larvae use this as a smelly shield for defense against predators and can move it directionally if necessary. Some of these beetles have even been known to have the ability to change color, or change from shiny to matte within a matter of seconds! They feed on morning glory and sweet potato leaves among other things.   So now we both know a little about this pretty little beetle.   Be sure to Like, Subscribe and Share to stay up to date on all of our posts!    Follow us on Facebook and Instagram 

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