Cassida vibex, Tortoise Beetle

Common Name: Tortoise Beetle

Cassida vibex, more commonly known as the Tortoise Beetle, is one of several similar beetles with flat, rounded bodies. It is pale golden green with a darker central band on its back. When disturbed, the adults behave just like tortoises, pulling their antennae and feet in and pulling their 'shell' tight down around them as they grip tightly on to the leaf they are on.

They feed on White Dead Nettle, Hedge Woundwort and Water Mint, and are often found in gardens (the one above was photographed on a Knapweed leaf in my own back garden) during April to September. It is often found on Thistles and Yarrow in summer. Found mainly south of a line from the Severn to the Wash.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.