While the lady beetles are primarily predators feeding on other insects, mites, etc., the tortoise beetles are members of the leaf-feeding beetle family, Chrysomelidae. This tortoise-like appearance gives this beetle its name.
Coloration varies by species.
Some are dull orange, changing to brilliant gold when mating. On other plants, such as burdock, the insect can be dull green. The spines are thorny and somewhat branched. The posterior pair are longer and aid in holding the excrement, cast skins, etc., that the larva ties to its back. The larvae often look like motorized pieces of trash or excrement.