Tortoise Beetles

Cassidini

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea
Family: Chrysomelidae
Subfamily: Cassidinae
Tribe: Cassidini

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cassidini: /kæˈsɪdɪnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Look what I found in my spinach (40375034070) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Cassida.rubiginosa by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Cassida-flaveola-05-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Tortoise Beetle (Cassida piperata) nymph by WanderingMogwai. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Cassida Rubiginosa (3256157144) by Ben Sale from Stevenage, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Cassida flaveola-o by Magnefl. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

The Cassidini tribe, commonly referred to as tortoise beetles, consists of around 30 species within 15 genera locally and over 1,700 species worldwide. They are characterized by their unique protective behaviors and interactions with various plants.

Physical Characteristics

The larvae of Cassidini have a unique anal fork, which is movable and is used to hold debris and fecal matter, forming a protective shield.

Identification Tips

Tortoise beetles can be identified by their rounded, often domed shape and their striking coloration. They often have a hard, shiny exterior that mimics the appearance of a tortoise shell.

Habitat

Cassidini are typically found on various dicotyledonous plants, as they are herbivorous and depend on these plants for feeding and development.

Distribution

Globally, there are over 1,700 species in approximately 90 genera; in the New World, around 46 species are identified.

Diet

The diet consists primarily of various dicotyledonous plants, on which the beetles feed as adults and larvae.

Life Cycle

The life cycle includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, with larvae being known to carry debris for protection.

Ecosystem Role

As herbivores, the Cassidini play an important role in the ecosystem by interacting with plant communities and potentially serving as food for other organisms. Their larvae also contribute to nutrient cycling through the decay of plant materials.

Evolution

Cassidini are a well-defined tribe within the Cassidinae subfamily, with a notable evolutionary history due to their specialized biology and adaptation to various host plants.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some may confuse tortoise beetles with other beetle families due to their similar appearance or may underestimate their ecological role due to their small size.