Charidotella (Charidotella) sexpunctata
Golden Tortoise Beetle
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Chrysomelidae
Genus
Charidotella
Species
Charidotella (Charidotella) sexpunctata
Distinguishing features
It is variable in color from orange to gold and it is often metallic. Its external margins are expanded and lack pigmentation, becoming nearly transparent. The color changes seasonally, and the beetle can change color when threatened by changing the flow of fluid between the layers of its cuticle. It turns from shiny gold to dull brown when disturbed.
There are two subspecies, ssp. bicolor and ssp. sexpunctata. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 0.7 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is native to the Americas. (Wikipedia)
