tortoise beetle

noun

: any of various chrysomelid beetles (subfamily Cassidinae) with leaf-eating larvae

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Sciencey GIFs and Images∞ Opportunity, the loneliest robot, seen here crawling Mar's Murray Ridge from orbit Evolution sent the tortoise beetle from the future. —

Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2014 Larvae of Chelymorpha alternans, commonly known as tortoise beetles, shroud themselves for protection with fecal coverings in the form of coatings, fecal cases or fecal shields. —

Prayan Pokharel, Smithsonian, 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tortoise beetle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1711, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tortoise beetle was circa 1711

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tortoise beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoise%20beetle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation