Thick black bug on tomatoes

[SuperChemicalGirl]

These bugs are new to me, anyone know what they are? I've found them on tomato plants at both my boyfriends house and my house and I'd like to know more about them. They're pretty well camouflaged on the plant, I actually thought they were a tiny bit of bird poo until I saw it move.

 

[Carol Dee]

That is one UGLY bug, no idea what it is either.

 

[vfem]

I can honestly say I have have never seen something so horrible!

 

[SuperChemicalGirl]

After extensive searching I was able to come up with a tortoise beetle. They do eat plant leaves, but rarely cause an issue due to low numbers.

 

[Collector]

That is the first one I have ever saw.
thanks for posting the pic!

 

[digitS']

Criminitly! That is one weird looking bug!

Here might be another picture of your weird bug: (click)

I think you've got it right, Super. Looking at tortoise beetles helped me find that photo.

The University of Oklahoma is calling theirs a "leafminer beetle" but these aren't what we usually think of as leafminers. That term usually applies to the larva of types of flies & moths rather than beetles.

Steve

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

They must be natives of Maine! Lucky us! I actually posted about them a few weeks back, but didn't have a picture. Couldn't really come up with anything and after I plucked them all off, I hadn't seen one since. Found another one last night though. Squish!

 

[i_am2bz]

Looks like a teeny tiny alien astronaut... :/