Clavate Tortoise Beetle

Mystery Bug
Location: Newmarket, Ontario
May 15, 2012 7:10 pm
Hi,
Saw this strange looking bug on our patio. It was able to fly and resembled a ladybug in flight. You can see it’s antennae sticking out – body underneath carapace was roughly same color (orange/red).
Signature: Rob

Hi Rob,
This distinctive beetle is a Clavate Tortoise Beetle, Plagiometriona clavata.  Are you growing tomato plants on the patio?  According to BugGuide:  “plants in the tomato family (Solanaceae): ground-cherries (Physalis), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and Solanum spp.; other reported host plants probably incidental.” 

Thank you! It was indeed on a tomato plant…
Rob