Strange beastie!

[Elderflower]

I`ve found several funny beetlie-things on my blackberry canes. They`ve got flat, roughly triangular backs and they`re bright green - except I`m sure I saw a mottled brown one as well. About a centimetre wide. A neighbouring plot holder said "Ooh ah! could be a shield beetle." but he didn`t know if they were goodies or baddies. I`ve looked in my pest book but can`t find it.
What do you think? Do I squish them or not?
Cordially,
E.F.

[Chantal]

I think your neighbour's right, they are shield bugs (I usually find them on my beans) and I've been told they do no harm whatsoever; certainly they've not hurt anything of mine.

[Weed]

Funnily enough I showed one of these to someone who knows about these things and it was a shield bug...

[Elderflower]

Brilliant - Thanks Chantal! Won`t squish them then!
Cheers, E.F.

[Elderflower]

-and thanks Weed - for the confirmation!

[Johnboy]

Hi EF,
Have a look at this website.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles09 ... ld_bug.asp
It may help you to make sure. There is an interesting blurb with it.

[Elderflower]

Gosh thanks Johnboy, what an interesting site. I intend to have a good browse. Pictures are always useful when you`re not sure of something aren`t they?
Cheers, E.F.

[Iain]

Green Shield Bug.

Thought I'd record one of these bugs here (5 mins. ago) in my home in central Scotland. First one I've ever seen- AND, thanks to the KG crew, I was able to impress my OH with its identification! "That? Och, that's a green shield bug...."

I.