Cassida

Cassida is a large Old World genus of tortoise beetles in the subfamily Cassidinae. The natural history of Cassida sphaerula in South Africa is a typical life cycle.^[1] Several species of Cassida are important agricultural pests,^[2] in particular C. vittata and C. nebulosa on sugar beet and spinach. The thistle tortoise beetle (Cassida rubiginosa) has been used as a biological control agent against Canada thistle.

Cassida
C. nebulosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Chrysomelidae
Subfamily:	Cassidinae
Tribe:	Cassidini
Genus:	Cassida Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Cassida nebulosa Linnaeus, 1758
Diversity
at least 430 species

Cassida vibex

Cassida azurea

The genus name is derived from Latin Cassis for a metal helmet.

There are at least 430 described species in Cassida.^[3][4] This genus contains the most species of all Cassidinae.^[5] Larvae build shields with their feces and exuviae, a widespread pattern of tortoise beetles.^[6]

See also

• List of Cassida species