BIOLOGY. Host Plants-Most tortoise beetles feed on sweet potato and closely related plants such as morning glory and bindweed. Argus tortoise beetles also infest cabbage, corn, raspberry, strawberry, milkweed, and plantain. Golden tortoise beetles have been found on eggplant.Damage-Both larvae and adults feed on leaves causing them to be riddled with holes. This type of damage is most threatening to seedlings or newly set plants.ife History-Tortoise beetles overwinter as adults under bark, in leaf litter, or in other dry, protected places. In spring, beetles emerge and feed on weed hosts until sweet potato plants are available. Female adults deposit clusters of 15 to 30 eggs on the undersides of leaves. Larvae emerge 7 to 10 days later.