Adhesive-tarsi
Guides
Hemisphaerota
Hemisphaerota is a genus of tortoise beetles in the subfamily Cassidinae, containing approximately 10 described species distributed across the circum-Caribbean region. The genus is characterized by hemispherical body shape and specialized tarsal structures for adhesion to host plant surfaces. The best-studied species, H. cyanea (palmetto tortoise beetle), exhibits remarkable defensive adaptations including adhesive tarsal pads that secrete oil when threatened, and larvae that construct protective fecal thatches.