Comments | wtf_nature: The Tortoise Beetle

cyaneus in wtf_nature

The Tortoise Beetle

Jun 16, 2012 22:45

The Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata bicolor) is a small, common North American beetle. Most of the time it's an iridescent gold, but when it is disturbed, the beetle alters the reflectivity of its exoskeleton and changes color from gold to red, with ladybug-like markings ( Read more... )

mimicry, bugs, arthropod

Comments 11

neumeindil June 21 2012, 05:58:01 UTC

So THAT'S WHAT THOSE ARE!!!! We've had a few of them at work lately (western NY) and I'd never seen one with a clear or partially clear shell. Off to Google!

monkeyprincess7 June 21 2012, 06:32:30 UTC

Wow, those are actually beautiful! Too bad we don't have these in Ontario that I've seen :(

cpsings4him June 21 2012, 11:45:33 UTC

OMG, I am so glad you posted this!! I've seen the gold beetle a few times and thought I was just insane/hallucinating. :p

drhoz June 21 2012, 12:11:16 UTC

that is rather neat :) It's unusual for an insect to be able to change colour, especially that quickly :)

jayp39 June 21 2012, 16:48:19 UTC

Do they always change color so slowly? It doesn't seem like that would be a very helpful defense mechanism, if something is trying to eat them you'd think by the time they can turn red they'd be eaten or the predator would have given up anyway...

neumeindil June 21 2012, 18:57:54 UTC

They also do the "NO DON'T PICK ME UP!" thing that Ladybugs etc. do and anchor themselves to the surface they're on. We attempted to take one off the window at work and it was suctioned on there like a sun catcher. There was just *no* moving it.