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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

LeConte's Tortoise Beetle
Deloyala lecontei

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Beetles (Order Coleoptera​​)

-​Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles (Suborder Polyphaga)

-​Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

-Leaf Beetles and Allies (Superfamily Chrysomeloidea)

-Leaf Beetles Family (Chrysomelidae)

-Tortoise and Hispine Beetles (Subfamily Cassidinae)

-Tribe Cassidini

-Genus Deloyala​

-Deloyala lecontei


Deloyala lecontei, commonly known as the LeConte's tortoise beetle, is a small beetle species in the leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae). This beetle is particularly noted for its unique, almost shield-like appearance, resembling a tortoise shell, which is how it gets its name. Usually metallic in color, with hues that can range from gold to green, often changing slightly depending on the light. This beetle feeds on various plants, with a preference for members of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), including sweet potatoes.

Diet

  • Adults and larvae: Feed primarily on the leaves of morning glories and related plants in the family Convolvulaceae.

  • Recorded host plants include Ipomoea and other climbing or trailing vines.

  • Both adults and larvae chew the leaf surface, producing small holes and areas of skeletonization.

Range

  • Native to North America, occurring from the southern United States through Mexico.

  • In Mexico, it is associated mainly with arid and seasonally dry regions, although its exact Mexican distribution is not completely documented.

  • It is not generally considered a widespread tropical species.

Habitat

  • Found in dry forests, scrublands, grasslands, desert margins, woodland edges, agricultural areas, roadsides, and other disturbed habitats where its host plants occur.

  • Adults and larvae remain closely associated with Convolvulaceae foliage.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 5–7 mm (0.2–0.28 in).

  • Body broadly oval and shield-like, with the expanded margins typical of tortoise beetles.

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