Tortoise Beetle (Larva)

Found on the underside of host plant leaves in gardens, fields, and forests.

Herbivorous, primarily feeding on the leaves of plants in the Convolvulaceae (morning glory) or Solanaceae families.

The larvae exhibit a 'fecal shield' behavior, where they attach their own excrement and cast skins to a structure on their posterior called an anal fork, using it as a physical and chemical deterrent against predators.

They are generally minor garden pests that cause aesthetic damage to foliage; they pose no risk to humans and serve as a food source for birds and predatory insects.