Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Gum Nut Leaf Beetle

Tracymela sloanei

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

37.8944, -122.036

Field Notes

Description:

mimic eucalyptus seed nuts.

Habitat:

Eucalyptus Tree

Notes:

1st spotting of a Tortoise Beetle.
They are so named because (like ladybird beetles) they can withdraw their toes into (under) their shell and prevent being pestered by ants, or other bullying insects.

Reference Links:

Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle  - Chrysophtharta variicollis

Species ID Suggestions

Gumnut leaf beetle

Tracymela sloanei

Reference Link
MartinL
1

Comments (6)
HemaShah
Martini,Cute that they pull their toes in!!
MartinL
Eucalyptus in California look superb because there are few leaf eating insects. This beetle is our other gift to you. Tortoise beetles are one of my favorite insects and my spottings are disproportionately weighted. They are so named because (like ladybird beetles) they can withdraw their toes into (under) their shell and prevent being pestered by ants, or other bullying insects.
HemaShah
invasive and a new pest in Cal. :(
HemaShah
These were way up high. I had to ask a tourist to pull down the branch and hold it ,while I took a picture.
HemaShah
Thanks Martin. The fact that these are tortoise beetles makes me very happy. i have been looking for those for a while.
MartinL
These tortoise beetles are likely to be Trachymela. They are black or grey, mimicking eucalyptus seed nuts. http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=1111+1111+2222+1174 (The genus name Paropsis is spelled with one 'p' and your source material contains a typo.)
Photographed
PublishedMay 12, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies