This beetle belongs to the leaf-mining group within the subfamily of Cassidinae of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). Known as leaf miners, their larvae live and feed securely between the upper and lower surfaces of host plant leaves. This beetle has a characteristically flattened body—an excellent adaptation for squeezing through narrow crevices. I crossed paths with this fascinating creature in Yasuní National Park during my very first photography excursion into the Amazon rainforest, and I certainly hope to encounter many more representatives of the diverse Cassidinae subfamily! 🙂