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People, Places, and Things Research at the California Academy of Sciences |
Norman D. Penny, Ph.D., Senior Collections Manager of Entomology
Golden tortoise beetle (Order Coleoptera and Family Chrysomelidae).
These beetles are foliage feeders and the bright golden color is caused by water layers in the integument. After the beetle dies, the water evaporates, and the beetle changes to a drab orangish brown.