Clavate Tortoise Beetle
Helocassis clavata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea
- Family: Chrysomelidae
- Subfamily: Cassidinae
- Tribe: Cassidini
- Genus: Helocassis
- Species: clavata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Helocassis clavata: /ˌhɛloʊˈkæsɪs kləˈvɑːtə/
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Summary
Helocassis clavata, commonly known as the Clavate Tortoise Beetle, is a species of tortoise beetle with unique physical characteristics and diet preferences, found primarily in North and South America.
Physical Characteristics
5‒7 mm in length; adults have a dorsum with a large dark patch shaped like a teddy bear, with 'legs' of the bear reaching the elytral margins and the 'head' extending onto the pronotum.
Identification Tips
The distinctive teddy bear-shaped dark patch on the dorsum of the adult is a key identification feature.
Habitat
Found in various habitats associated with host plants such as ground-cherries and Jimsonweed.
Distribution
Native to North America, particularly in areas extending from the United States (NA) to South America (S.America).
Diet
Feeds on ground-cherries (Physalis) and Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), along with species from the Solanum genus (Solanaceae).
Life Cycle
The life cycle includes three main stages: Egg, Larva, and Adult.
Ecosystem Role
Part of the herbivore community, feeding on specific plants and contributing to the ecosystem's plant population dynamics.
Evolution
Plagiometriona is a genus of tortoise beetles; some species have been classified under Helocassis, which is considered a junior synonym.
Similar Taxa
- Plagiometriona ambigena
- Plagiometriona bremei
- Plagiometriona buqueti
- Plagiometriona costaricensis
- Plagiometriona crucipennis
- Plagiometriona diffusa
- Plagiometriona distorta
- Plagiometriona dodonea
- Plagiometriona dorsosignata
- Plagiometriona flavescens
- Plagiometriona flexuosa
- Plagiometriona forcipata
- Plagiometriona gibbifera
- Plagiometriona herbea
- Plagiometriona latemarginata
- Plagiometriona losi
- Plagiometriona moesta
- Plagiometriona paleacea
- Plagiometriona palmeirensis
- Plagiometriona ramosa
- Plagiometriona sahlbergi
- Plagiometriona stillata
- Plagiometriona tenella
- Plagiometriona tortuguilla
- Plagiometriona tredecimguttata
- Plagiometriona vigens
- Plagiometriona zelleri
Tags
- Helocassis clavata
- Clavate Tortoise Beetle
- Chrysomelidae
- beetle
- North America
- South America