In the midst of the forest vegetation you can find true jewels that shine on their own. Under the leaves, in the most hidden parts of the plants, some of the most beautiful insects on the entire planet take refuge, the golden tortoise beetles. At first glance they cause a beautiful confusion, since one could well think that they are miniature turtles. But as you look at them more closely, surprise takes over the scene and you simply cannot stop looking at them.
Commonly known as the golden tortoise beetle, its scientific name is Aspidimorpha sanctaecrucis and it belongs to the Chrysomelidae family, which includes more than 37 thousand species of leaf beetles. Each of them has a unique beauty and the golden tortoise beetle is no exception, it has won the hearts of photographers in the microscopic world for its unusual appearance.
a shell of gold
Measuring just shy of a centimeter in length, this beetle looks like a true natural gem. On top of its small body, it extends a shell similar to that of a turtle, except that it is a 7 millimeter one with transparent parts and others in gold, hence its name. But beyond the beauty that characterizes it, its shell has a vital function for it: protecting it from possible predators. Their small wings are sheltered under their shiny shell that is tough enough to keep them safe.
When things get intense and its jewel-shaped shield is not enough to safeguard its integrity, the golden tortoise beetle runs into the deepest parts of the vegetation. Going unnoticed may be a difficult task for its striking image, but in the leaves there is always refuge in the right places. The back parts of the leaves are the favorite place for small insects that want to keep a low profile from possible predators.
The small insect lives in North America and other regions such as Maynmar, it is possible to observe them more frequently during summer days, as they are animals whose activity proliferates with the increase in rain. Their diet is based entirely on plant leaves, having a predilection for the species commonly known as ‘Morning Glory’ (ipomea purpurea).
Nature has its own jewels that it shows to those who are willing to be surprised. Although we mostly pass by when we look at a plant, once we stop to analyze it, an entire world appears before our eyes. The golden turtle beetle is part of this microscopic reality and is one of its greatest jewels.