Tortoise Beetle Larva

Found on the undersides of host plant leaves in gardens, meadows, and agricultural fields.

Herbivorous; they typically feed on the foliage of plants in families like Convolvulaceae (morning glories) or Solanaceae.

Notable for their 'fecal shield' behavior, where larvae use a special caudal fork to hold their own shed skins and excrement over their backs to deter predators.

Generally considered a minor garden pest due to leaf damage, but they play a role in the ecosystem as a food source for birds and predatory insects.