Golden Tortoise Beetle vs Bartman's Timema
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden Tortoise Beetle | Bartman's Timema |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Charidotella sexpunctata | Timema bartmani |
| Order | Coleoptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Timematidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 1.5-2 cm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | United States (Southern California mountains) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Golden Tortoise Beetle
Looks like a tiny golden jewel. Can change color from gold to reddish-brown by controlling moisture in microscopic layers of its shell. Color changes with stress or mating.
Did You Know?
The golden tortoise beetle can change color from brilliant gold to dull red in minutes by controlling fluid in nanoscale layers of its shell — like a living mood ring.
Bartman's Timema
A small, green timema from the mountains of southern California. It was described relatively recently from a restricted range.
Did You Know?
It is found only in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains of southern California.