Photo by Mike May

Adult tortoise beetles are a thing of beauty, but the young have the disgusting habit of holding cast-off skins and excrement over their bodies. Why do they do this?

1. For attracting potential mates - they're short-lived and need to mate as soon as they are adults.
2. For protection - potential predators find this behavior unappetizing.
3. For thermoregulation - it keeps them warm at night.
4. For food - in times of extreme starvation.

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