Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=bicolor (subspecies); Metriona bicolor
Explanation of Names
SEXPUNCTATA: 'six-dotted' (beetles often with six spots on the elytra)
Identification
Overall golden-orange or golden-yellow with or without black elytral spots; legs mostly yellow, body oval or almost circular-shaped, elytral margins transparent, elytra and pronotum highly reflective in living specimens
(2); adults change color when disturbed
(3)
Larvae carry a fecal shield
Range
se. Canada and most of the US
(4); represented in our area outside of TX by the subspecies
bicolor; in TX, both subspecies occur (
C. s. sexpunctata: TX to S. America
(1))
Food
leaves of various Convolvulaceae
Life Cycle
1. Mating pair. 2. Larva under the fecal shield. 3. Larva adding material to fecal shield. 4. Pupa. 5. Adult.
See Also
Black-legged Tortoise Beetle (Jonthonota nigripes) also has 3 black spots on each elytron and overall orange color but is larger (8-9 mm), has mostly black legs, a more oblong shape, a duller surface, and elytral margins are opaque or translucent, not transparent.
