Golden tortoise beetle

Natural Habitat

Gardens, fields, and meadows; most commonly found on the leaves of morning glories and sweet potato vines.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; both adults and larvae feed on the leaves of plants in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).

Behavior Patterns

Notable for its ability to change color from brilliant metallic gold to reddish-brown when disturbed or during mating. Larvae have an 'anal fork' used to hold a 'fecal shield' as a defense against predators.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. While they cause aesthetic damage to garden plants by chewing holes in leaves, they rarely cause significant economic damage to crops.

Identified on: 5/27/2026