Tortoise Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

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.

Risks & Benefits

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.

Identified on: 1/14/2026