Cassida viridis

Length 7.5 to 10 mm. This is an all green Tortoise Beetle that lacks the markings of other Cassida species.

Cassida viridis is similar to C. rubiginosa but can be distinguished by the rounded rear corners of the pronotum (sharp in C. rubiginosa). It is also usually more apple green in colour.

Low vegetation, particularly White Dead-nettle and Mint.

April to October.

The very spiny larva holds a bundle of cast skins and droppings over its back which it uses to fend off predators and parasites, the adults grip on to a leaf and pull themselves down, thus presenting no grip to predators.

Fairly frequent and widespread in England and Wales, but fewer records from Scotland.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 32 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.