(Deloyala guttata)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Mottled tortoise beetle is a common, small, leaf beetle. It occurs in North America and Central America. It occurs throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, but it is much more common east of the Great Plains. It is less common in Minnesota, where it reaches the northern extent of its range. Adults are active from May to September. They are found in fields, meadows, parks, gardens, and roadsides. Adults and larvae feed on various plants in the Convolvulaceae (bindweed) family, including common morning-glory, field bindweed, hedge bindweed, and ivy-leaved morning-glory. They create circular or irregular holes in the leaves between the veins. Adults are 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5.3 to 6.8 mm) in length. The body is oval when viewed from above, convex when viewed from the side. The head is completely concealed beneath the pronotum when viewed from above. The eyes are not notched. The antennae have 11 segments. They are long but less than half as long as the body. They are extended when at rest. The underside of the prothorax has ridged grooves toward each side for the antennae to be tucked into. The mouthparts are directed downwards. Broad, flattened, translucent margins of the prothoracic shield (pronotum) and wing covers (elytra) create a hard, domed, almost continuous, turtle-like shell (carapace) over the entire body. The coloration is highly variable. Pale individuals are entirely yellowish brown and unmarked above. The translucent margins are slightly paler. Dark individuals are almost entirely black or black with various shades of brown (dark) above. A narrow pale band borders the front of the dark area on the pronotum, and the lateral edges of the dark area on each elytron. Most individuals are intermediate, with brilliant, metallic, green or gold (pale) spots on a dark background. The number, size, and shape of the pale spots are variable, but they fall into a general pattern of two large spots on each elytron, one near the front margin, one toward the rear. This gives the elytra a mottled appearance, and it is the source of the common name of this beetle. On all color forms, the pigmented area extends to the front lateral corner of each elytron. The last part of each leg (tarsus), corresponding to the foot, has five segments. The fourth segment is very short and is concealed within the broadened tip of the third segment, making the tarsus appear to have only four segments. The last segment bears a pair of claws. The claws are simple, lacking teeth or splits. However, an extension on the final tarsal segment partially obscures the claw, giving the appearance of a split. |
Size |
Total length: 3⁄16″ to ¼″ (5.3 to 6.8 mm) |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Fields, meadows, parks, gardens, and roadsides |
Biology |
Season |
Multiple generations per year: May through September |
Behavior |
Larvae possess a flexible “anal fork” at their body’s end. This structure allows them to attach and carry discarded exoskeletons and fecal matter. The collected debris can be positioned over their back, creating a defensive “shield” that discourages predators. |
Life Cycle |
Adults overwinter on the ground beneath leaf litter. |
Larva Food |
Same as adults |
Adult Food |
Plants in the Convolvulaceae (bindweed) family, including common morning-glory, field bindweed, hedge bindweed, and ivy-leaved morning-glory |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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11/11/2024 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common |
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Coleoptera (beetles) |
Suborder |
Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf, and snout beetles) |
Infraorder |
Cucujiformia |
Superfamily |
Chrysomeloidea (leaf beetles and allies) |
Family |
Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles) |
Subfamily |
Cassidinae (tortoise and hispine beetles) |
Tribe |
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Genus |
Deloyala |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Cassida fuliginosa Cassida guttata Cassida signifer Chirida guttata columbica Chirida signifera bohemani Coptocycla extensa Coptocycla glabricula Coptocycla hamulata Coptocycla immunda Coptocycla immuntia Coptocycla lucidula Coptocycla lugubrina Coptocycla trabeata |
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Common Names |
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mottled tortoise beetle |
Glossary
Elytra
The hardened or leathery forewings of beetles used to protect the fragile hindwings, which are used for flying. Singular: elytron.
Pronotum
The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.
Tarsus
On insects, the last two to five subdivisions of the leg, attached to the tibia; the foot. On spiders, the last segment of the leg. Plural: tarsi.
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Babette Kis |
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Deloyala guttata mottled tortoise beetle Mottled tortoise beetle, Deloyala guttata, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI, May 19, 2024. This beetle looks metallic green in the photos, but from a distance, it appeared to be bright gold. |
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mottled tortoise beetle (Deloyala guttata) |
About
May 26, 2022 |
Mottled Turtle Beetle - "Deloyala Guttate" |
About
Apr 24, 2020 This Mottle Turtle Beetle was Observed on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica in April 2020. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION |
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Created: 11/11/2024 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |