From the archive record
Tortoise Beetle or Coccinelllidae loves to chomp on Ipomea / Ipomia Morning Glory type vines. This is not a ladybird! Class Insecta Order Coleoptera Family Chrysomelidae A number of species come under the common name of tortoise beetles or tortoiseshell beetles. They are characterized by flattened, spiny larvae and adult beetles with broad domed oval shaped elytra. Seldom a serious pest, but tortoise beetles can cause considerable defoliation during severe infestation. Severe damage at the vegetative and root initiation stages may reduce storage root yield. Throughout Africa, Southern China, Southeast Asia. At least four species of Aspidomorpha and eight other Chrysomelidae have been recorded in East Africa. Several species occur in Southeast Asia including Cassida circumdata and C. obtu