Meet The Golden Tortoise Beetle – Treasure With Legs (Video + 5 Pics)

Have you ever seen these little specs of gold with legs? These tiny treasures are called golden tortoise beetles (Charidotella sexpunctata). They look very similar to ladybird beetles and can be found feasting on all types of plants, all over the world. They get their funny name from their peculiar structure, specifically their hardened wing covers which protect its flying wings.

Both larvae and adults feed on foliage. The typical form of injury is the creation of numerous small to medium-sized irregular holes. Both stages usually inhabit the lower surface, but eat entirely through the foliage. Rarely are tortoise beetles abundant enough to be considered damaging. Throughout North America, populations of golden tortoise beetles can look quite different, which has led to some confusion and multiple names for the same species. Many individuals also have black spots on the outside of their shell, which adds to their appearance as a golden lady bird beetle.