This photo was submitted by a grower after seeing feeding damage on Ipomoea.
Tortoise beetles are fairly small (less than ¼ of an inch long) turtle-shaped beetles that vary in color from dull orange, green or brilliant gold (like a piece of shiny jewelry). Tortoise beetles have thin margins that extend out from their body and a shield-like structure covering their head. Oval, spiny tortoise beetle larvae use their rear spines to hold debris and excrement over their back. They then stick this material at potential predators to protect themselves.
Golden tortoise beetles are fond of plants in the morning glory family (Convolvulacae) such as Ipomoea batatas Marguerite (Sweet Potato Vine), Ipomoea tricolor or purpurpea (Morning Glory), Ipomoea alba (Moon Flower) and Ipomoea x multifida (Cardinal Climber). Beetles may also feed on weeds such as bindweed, thistles, horse nettle, etc. Small holes in the leaves are signs of feeding damage.
