August 6, 2007 Seeing the small holes in the leaves of a wild potato vine was a clue that I might find a tortoise beetle. These unusual beetles are a brilliant gold color when undisturbed. Unfortunately, having a large black camera lens zooming in can be un-nerving to a small insect! It quickly turned this bright orange and then crawled off the leaf. The beetle gets its' common name from the way the elytra (outer wings) flare out and form a tortoise-like shell.
spp.
Oak Ridge, TN May 2008 This little beetle looks like a 2-spotted ladybug in negative! I was surprised when I learned its name! It was photographed on a leaf of our Dogwood tree.
