Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#316429
Cassidini on bindweed. Hinged mechanism of the pupa - Charidotella sexpunctata

Cassidini on bindweed. Hinged mechanism of the pupa - Charidotella sexpunctata
Pennypack Restoration Trust, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA
July 31, 2009
Size: 6 mm.
The pupal case has a hinge mechanism that allows the adult to step out of it easily. Compare the pupa with the empty casing. There are also a couple of curly strings that must play some role, although I don't know exactly how.
I guess that this hinge shouldn't surprise me after all Arthropods have many hinges, but this one is used only once.

Images of this individual: tag all
Cassidinae on bindweed. Larva - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. Larva covered by fecal shield. - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. Larva depositing a drop of excreta. - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. Larva depositing a drop of excreta. - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidini on bindweed. Pupa - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. Pupa 6 days later - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. Empty pupal case - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidini on bindweed. Hinged mechanism of the pupa - Charidotella sexpunctata Cassidinae on bindweed. A day later - Charidotella sexpunctata