tortoise beetle

American  

[tawr-tuhs beet-l] / ˈtɔr təs ˌbit l /

noun

1. any of several turtle-shaped leaf beetles, as Chelymorpha cassidea argus tortoise beetle, or milkweed tortoise beetle, which resembles the ladybird beetle and feeds primarily on bindweed and milkweed.

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tortoise beetle British  

noun

1. a metallic-coloured leaf beetle of the genus Cassida, in which the elytra and terga cover the body like a shell

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Etymology

Origin of tortoise beetle

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

When a predator approaches, golden tortoise beetle larvae will gather into a defensive circle, "like a herd of bison in a ring," Chaboo says.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2018

Golden tortoise beetle larvae have a posterior appendage called an anal fork that they can hang over themselves like an awning.

From National Geographic • Jun. 23, 2018

When the nanogrooves are filled with the red liquid, they give the layers a smooth surface, which perfectly reflects the light to give the Panamania tortoise beetle its metallic golden appearance.

From Scientific American • Jul. 4, 2012

Barrows noted how previous observations of golden tortoise beetle colours from other scientsists were extremely varied, ranging from brownish and purplish to bright orange or gold.

From Scientific American • Jul. 4, 2012

Not only did he find that golden tortoise beetle copulation could last anywhere between 15 to 583 minutes, but he also observed that they would change colour as quickly as two minutes into it.

From Scientific American • Jul. 4, 2012