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Description

This is Cassida canaliculata, one of our largest tortoise beetles, which favors xerothermic environments, such as steppes and vineyards (which is exactly where I found it- on a steppe connected to vineyard). It is critically endangered, so needless to say not that many people have seen it. I got lucky that I was looking under my feet constantly and found one, not that I was looking for it. I was looking for oil beetles, had no luck with those. But that place is a true treasure trove of endangered species of all sorts. Every visit (and by every I mean the two that I did) brought me bunch of red list invertebrates. Shame it's so far away from my home, but I'm definitely returning to that place again, probably sooner than I planned.

I have to say, tortoise beetles normally don't have much to offer. But this guy has the size and vibrant colors, not to mention rarity, to be the highlight of that expedition.

Description

This is Cassida canaliculata, one of our largest tortoise beetles, which favors xerothermic environments, such as steppes and vineyards (which is exactly where I found it- on a steppe connected to vineyard). It is critically endangered, so needless to say not that many people have seen it. I got lucky that I was looking under my feet constantly and found one, not that I was looking for it. I was looking for oil beetles, had no luck with those. But that place is a true treasure trove of endangered species of all sorts. Every visit (and by every I mean the two that I did) brought me bunch of red list invertebrates. Shame it's so far away from my home, but I'm definitely returning to that place again, probably sooner than I planned.

I have to say, tortoise beetles normally don't have much to offer. But this guy has the size and vibrant colors, not to mention rarity, to be the highlight of that expedition.