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Project Noah Nature School
Family Chrysomelidae, Subfamily Cassinidae, Aspidomorpha deusta
Bright orange beetles, 8mm in diameter. So named by the characteristic gelatinous-looking shield that looks like a tortoise or turtle shell. They can easily protect their legs by lowering their shield to the leaf. If you startle them, they just tuck their legs in and drop off the leaf and out of sight.
Living and feeding on the bright lime green leaves of a Convolvulaceae vine, Cattana Wetlands QLD.
If you have a few minutes watch the video clip http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/... from the QLD museum. The larvae have an amazing and interesting defense mechanism.
Spotted on Mar 9, 2013
Submitted on Mar 9, 2013
11 Comments
Thank you Phillip, Carol, Jakubko & Mayra. Much appreciated! The Tortoise beetle is one of my favorites!
Wonderful!!
Lovely, Andrea!
AHHHH! Twins! Congratulations! Adorable!
Magnificent captures Andrea! This species is just gorgeous! I really like the second picture!
Thank you for your comments Rieko, Olivia, Leanne & Lauren. Glad you enjoyed the video clip Lauren. It was fascinating!
There are so many interesting things in this world. My quest is to learn something new everyday....and on Project Noah that is not hard to do. Loving it!!
Beautiful beetles, I really enjoyed the video clip from the QLD Museum. Amazing larval adaptations!
Gorgeous!
Nice shot!
So very beautiful!