Dazzling Golden Tortoise Beetles Look Like Tiny Jewels Scurrying Across Leaves

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from yusuf kurnia/Shutterstock

When is a tortoise not a tortoise? When it’s actually a beetle! The golden tortoise beetle, whose scientific species name is aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis, is a creature with a turtle-like shell decorated with a striking golden pattern on its protective carapace. It looks like a tiny jewel come to life.

As adorable as the beetle is sparkling, the part-golden, part-transparent carapace does more than just look pretty. It is a defense mechanism for the bug and covers its body so that it has protection against predators. The wings are also shielded underneath this hard shell. Another way in which they defend themselves is to remain inconspicuous—something that's a challenge because of their sparkly appearance. But you’ll likely find them on the backside of a plant so that they stay concealed.

This special beetle can be found in Southeastern Asia. China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia are just some of the places you might be lucky enough to spot its gold reflection against a green leaf.

The golden tortoise beetle is an insect with a dazzling pattern on its protective carapace.

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from Silmiart/Shutterstock

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from Silmiart/Shutterstock

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from SOMRERK WITTHAYANANT/Shutterstock

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from yusuf kurnia/Shutterstock

Golden Tortoise Beetle

Photo: Stock Photos from Pittawut/Shutterstock

They look like tiny jewels at home on the leaves.

 

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h/t: [Oddity Central]

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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