The golden tortoise beetle is a member of the family of leaf beetles. It has two known sub species – Charidotella sexpunctata bicolor and Charidotella sexpunctata sexpunctata.
Size: 5–7 mm
Color: Specimens can vary in color, ranging from reddish-brown with black spots , often changing to shiny, mirror-like gold. They can change color during mating, or even when disturbed by humans.
Other Characteristic Features: The elytra are nearly transparent.
Their color range from yellowish to reddish-brown. They go through three instars, with a flat, broad body covered with spines. The larvae often hide from predators with the help of a “shield” constructed out of frass and shed skins that it collects on a protrusion on its posterior end, referred to as an “anal fork”.
Larvae complete maturing after 2-3 weeks, after which pupation begins.
The pupa is brown and similar to the larva in appearance, also having spikes all over them. The material collected by the larva as part of its fecal shield still covers it during this stage. This period lasts for 1-2 weeks and measures 5-8 mm in length.
They are white, oval, flat, and about 1 mm in length. Eggs are generally attached singly to the undercol3 of the leaves of the host plant. Around 20 of them are laid at a time, taking 5-10 days to hatch.
| Other names | Golden beetle, “Goldbug” |
| Lifespan | 10-20 days |
| Distribution | Eastern North America, and west to Iowa and Texas |
| Habitat | Bushes, forests, or gardens |
| Seasons active | May-July |
| Predators | Ants, assassin bugs, damsel bugs, eulophid wasps, ladybird beetles, shield bugs, and tachinid flies. |
| Host plants | Bindweeds, morning glory, and sweet potato |
| Diet of adults | Same as larvae |
They leave behind small to medium-sized irregular holes in the leaves. However, the damage caused by these beetles is seldom threatening.
Image Source: images.saymedia-content.com, bugguide.net, live.staticflickr.com, artscienceinsects.files.wordpress.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, plantanswers.com, wpengine.netdna-ssl.com
The golden tortoise beetle is a member of the family of leaf beetles. It has two known sub species – Charidotella sexpunctata bicolor and Charidotella sexpunctata sexpunctata.
Size: 5–7 mm
Color: Specimens can vary in color, ranging from reddish-brown with black spots , often changing to shiny, mirror-like gold. They can change color during mating, or even when disturbed by humans.
Other Characteristic Features: The elytra are nearly transparent.
Their color range from yellowish to reddish-brown. They go through three instars, with a flat, broad body covered with spines. The larvae often hide from predators with the help of a “shield” constructed out of frass and shed skins that it collects on a protrusion on its posterior end, referred to as an “anal fork”.
Larvae complete maturing after 2-3 weeks, after which pupation begins.
The pupa is brown and similar to the larva in appearance, also having spikes all over them. The material collected by the larva as part of its fecal shield still covers it during this stage. This period lasts for 1-2 weeks and measures 5-8 mm in length.
They are white, oval, flat, and about 1 mm in length. Eggs are generally attached singly to the undercol3 of the leaves of the host plant. Around 20 of them are laid at a time, taking 5-10 days to hatch.
| Other names | Golden beetle, “Goldbug” |
| Lifespan | 10-20 days |
| Distribution | Eastern North America, and west to Iowa and Texas |
| Habitat | Bushes, forests, or gardens |
| Seasons active | May-July |
| Predators | Ants, assassin bugs, damsel bugs, eulophid wasps, ladybird beetles, shield bugs, and tachinid flies. |
| Host plants | Bindweeds, morning glory, and sweet potato |
| Diet of adults | Same as larvae |
They leave behind small to medium-sized irregular holes in the leaves. However, the damage caused by these beetles is seldom threatening.
Image Source: images.saymedia-content.com, bugguide.net, live.staticflickr.com, artscienceinsects.files.wordpress.com, 1.bp.blogspot.com, plantanswers.com, wpengine.netdna-ssl.com
