these arent the best pics in the world but thought i’d get some pictures of this blog’s namesake!
this is eurycantha calcarata, also known as the new guinea spiny walking stick. pictured we have nymphs of various sizes, an adult male, and an adult female.
by the way heres a better look at their little face
here are things to know about a tormtose beetle:
Smaller than a ladybug
Found everywhere but most people never notice them
Can change instantly from its gold colors to completely black or brown to confuse predators
Strong feet and domed shell allow it to hold tightly to a leaf when attacked by ants, who can’t get a grip on it.
The
larvae collect their own poop on the end of their tails and swing it at predators to deter them.
In some species the mother and her babies form this defensive arrangement together, with the poop clubs out and mom’s armored body protecting their heads:
https://embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
lovingdread 