Stolas mannerheimi

Image: Udo Schmidt
Stolas mannerheimi

This beautiful creature is a thumbnail-sized Tortoise Beetle from Peru. They walk about on plants and when they get worried or frightened, they knuckle down, grab firm hold of the leafy surface beneath their feet and take full advantage of their wide, shield-shaped armour.

They don't appear to have a common name but come on, just look at it! Isn't this the Kiss Me, I'm Irish Beetle if ever you saw one?