Golden Flying Saucer Insect on green leaf.

[JBW]

[Geoff F]

So is that a form of Tortoise Beetle? Looks a bit different to those which we get in the UK but seems to be 'constructed along similar lines'.

[Bob44]

A good photo and very intertesting!

[JBW]

So is that a form of Tortoise Beetle? Looks a bit different to those which we get in the UK but seems to be 'constructed along similar lines'.

After looking at the pictures and reading the descriptions I would have to say yes. But the descriptions also claim North America as their habitat which is patently not right if you have them in G.B..

[Geoff F]

They are a widespread group, Brian, and appear in many forms. Probably under a lot of local names as well. Those which we see here are Cassida species, but the overall common name is Tortoise Beetles. They come under the Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) general heading.

The trouble with common names is that they get used differently in different countries.

Here, some people are terrified about 'Black Widow Spiders' which are very loosely related to the real Black Widows and can give a slight bite if handled; but in reality they aren't a problem. Funnel-web Spiders and Huntsman Spiders are two other terms which are incorrectly used here.

[JBW]

They are a widespread group, Brian, and appear in many forms. Probably under a lot of local names as well. Those which we see here are Cassida species, but the overall common name is Tortoise Beetles. They come under the Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) general heading.

The trouble with common names is that they get used differently in different countries.

Definitely a leaf beetle. But with 35,000 different species it might take a while to nail the name.

Here, some people are terrified about 'Black Widow Spiders' which are very loosely related to the real Black Widows and can give a slight bite if handled; but in reality they aren't a problem. Funnel-web Spiders and Huntsman Spiders are two other terms which are incorrectly used here.