Friend or foe?

[Jude]

Thought I knew most soil inhabiting creatures, but I've come across one I can't identify. I've found 2 so far, biggish beasties about an inch and a half long, segmented body dark on top and pale underneath. They appeared to have large 'jaws' and immediately played dead when disturbed. Hope someone can tell me they're friendly 'cos I dread to think how much damage they could do otherwise!

[Johnboy]

Hi Jude,
The 'Play Dead' trick is a favourite of Vine Weevils.
Fingers crossed that they are not. Vine Weevil have 6 legs and have a snout.

[vivie veg]

Does anyone know if Shield beetles are friend or foe?

I find them on my Runner Beans (amongst others) and the Runner beans are fine...no nibbled bits, so I've just knock them off onto a leaf.

I would love them to be FRIENDS so could someone tell me for sure!

[Chez]

Hello Vivie Veg - neutral but possible foe, according to this link - http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles09 ... ld_bug.asp What I do know is when squashed, they smell just like coriander. To me anyway, which is why I don't like either. In NZ they were eloquently referred to as Stink Bugs for this reason. You will no doubt sleep better tonight knowing that...

[yummyveggies]

Hi Jude , ... could it be a cockchafer / maybug bug .. I found them for the first time last year and was also a bit bemused ..

check out this link for the photos ... (ugh !)

http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/inver ... elolontha/


They are about 1.5 inches long ... BIG jaws and yukky white body ...

cheers, yummieveggies

[Johnboy]

Hi Jude,
I read you posting as 1/2" instead of 11/2"long and the thought of Vine Weevils 11/2" long fills me with total Horror~!!
I think that Yummyveggeies explanation is a tad more accurate than mine.
The Cockcafer Bugs were hitting the windows here last night almost like hailstones and there are umteen 'deaduns' in evidence this morning.
I have written out 100 times :-
'Johnboy read the question properly before rushing into print!!'

[Beccy]

We've all done it Johnboy . That site looks interesting, the photos actually look like the examples I've seen, which seems to be surprisingly rare, so thanks Yummieveggies.

[Jude]

Thanks all, but they're definitely not vine weevil as I'm all too familiar with those little darlings, and I'm afraid not cockchafer either. These thingys are almost black on the top and cream-coloured underneath, much harder bodied than vine weevil larvae, almost armour plated!