The Clavate Tortoise Beetle (Helocassis clavata) has been described as looking like a teddy bear living under a clear turtle shell.
This little beetle is just over a quarter inch in length. The bright green larval stage has a special tail-like appendage (a "fecal fork") that it uses to hold a mixture of feces and molted "shells" over its body for protection.
The beetle feeds on the foliage of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) that includes tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and peppers. The Clavate Tortoise Beetle, however, does not appear to be a major garden pest.
