Mottled Tortoise Beetle vs Knobbled Weevil
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mottled Tortoise Beetle | Knobbled Weevil |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deloyala guttata | Karocolens pittospori |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 5-6 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
A small tortoise beetle with variable coloration, often gold with irregular black spots on the elytra. Like its relatives, it has broadly expanded margins that overhang the body.
Did You Know?
Its coloring can shift between gold and dull orange-brown depending on humidity and the beetle's physiological state.
Knobbled Weevil
A large, knobbled weevil endemic to New Zealand, covered in rough tubercles that give it a bark-like appearance. It is nocturnal and flightless, found in native forests. Its rough texture provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, the knobbled weevil plays dead and drops to the ground, where its bark-like texture makes it nearly invisible among leaf litter.