Subject: Cool looking lady bug do you know what this bug is?
Location: Meadville Pennsylvania 16335
May 20, 2016 1:02 pm
I just wanted to know if you knew what this bug is i know it’s a type of beetle maybe a dart beetle? I’m at work but as soon as I saw it i was amazed of how it looked and wanted to know if it’s rare for my location. I’m 25 years old and never seen a bug this cool looking from Pennsylvania. I’m a eagle scout and did have a lot of outdoors experience and did get a insect study merit badge. But if you can find out and let me know thanks.
Signature: By Samuel Juracko
Dear Samuel,
This is a Tortoise Beetle in the tribe Cassidini, most likely the Clavate Tortoise Beetle, Plagiometriona clavata , which is pictured on BugGuide where it states it feeds upon: “ground-cherries (Physalis), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and Solanum spp. (Solanaceae).”