Helocassis clavata

(Fabricius, 1798)

Clavate Tortoise Beetle

Helocassis clavata, commonly known as the , is a of in the . It belongs to the tortoise beetle Cassidinae, characterized by a domed, turtle-like formed from modified and . The species is found in North and Middle America. Like other tortoise beetles, it exhibits distinctive defensive and parental behaviors.

Helocassis clavata by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Plagiometriona clavata 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Clavate Tortoise Beetle - Plagiometriona clavata, Meadowood SRMA, Mason Neck, Virginia, June 16, 2021 (51841223442) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Helocassis clavata: /ˌhɛloʊˈkæsɪs kləˈvɑːtə/

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Images

Distribution

North America; Middle America

Similar Taxa

  • Plagiometriona clavataFormerly classified under this name; the was reclassified to Helocassis clavata
  • Other Cassidinae tortoise beetlesShare the distinctive domed structure, but differ in specific elytral patterns and coloration

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Sources and further reading