Palmetto Tortoise Beetle
Hemisphaerota cyanea
This record describes Hemisphaerota cyanea (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae of this species create strands of fecal matter enclosing them in a nestlike thatch that protects them from predators. Thatch is retained when the larvae pupate, until the adult has emerged and its shell has hardened. Thomas Eisner has a very detailed description of this process in his book For Love of Insects . ( 5 ) Egg-sacs of this species are covered by the mother with fecal pellets (below).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cassidinae
- Tribe
- Hemisphaerotini
- Genus
- Hemisphaerota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gulf and s. Atlantic coasts ( 3 )
Geographic Range
coastal s.TX to s.FL to NC - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Breeds on both native and ornamental palms (Arecaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: cyanea - "dark blue".
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Hemisphaerota cyanea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Palmetto Tortoise Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Palmetto Tortoise Beetle
What is Palmetto Tortoise Beetle?
Palmetto Tortoise Beetle (Hemisphaerota cyanea) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Palmetto Tortoise Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Gulf and s. Atlantic coasts ( 3 ) |
| Range | coastal s.TX to s.FL to NC - Map |
What does Palmetto Tortoise Beetle eat?
The diet of the Palmetto Tortoise Beetle includes Breeds on both native and ornamental palms (Arecaceae).