shell

This is a type of Tortoise Beetle, or Tortoise shell beetles. They get their common name because of the tortoise-like shell....er, ok, got that....

They can also pull this shell down onto to the surface of a leaf, thereby thwarting the attentions of predators such as ants.

They are also known to drop suddenly off the leaf they are on, into the dense undergrowth to disappear forever, to thwart would be photographers.

Here a couple are keen to find each other to mate...where did he go??