Larval-defenses

Guides

• Mesomphaliini

  tortoise beetles

  Mesomphaliini is a tribe of tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) erected by Hope in 1840, though some authorities recognize the alternative name Stolaini (Hincks, 1952). The tribe is predominantly Neotropical, with most species occurring in the Americas. Some genera, including Chelymorpha, Stolas, and Cyrtonota, have representatives extending into Europe and Japan. Members exhibit distinctive larval behaviors including construction of exuvio-fecal shields and documented subsocial maternal care in at least some species.

  tortoise-beetlesCassidinaesubsocial-behaviorfaecal-shieldsmaternal-careNeotropicalIpomoeaparasitoidsTachinidaelarval-defenses