Green shield bugs

[Tussiemussie]

Have seen a couple of green shield bugs in the garden, are they a pest, do they do any harm?

[endeavour]

None at all really, just let them be.

[Tussiemussie]

Thanks Endeavour, that's what I usually do, unless I am sure they are a pest

[Lesley Jay]

As Endeavour says the green shield bug is a friendly creature however, there is a new shield bug - the southern green shield bug - that will attack vegetables especially beans.

[Tussiemussie]

Hi Lesley, if they are both green shield bugs do they have a way of telling friendly native from the new bug?

[Lesley Jay]

Our friendly native shield bug has a trianglular reddish/brown area at the end of their bodies, whereas the southern shield bug is green all over.

[Tussiemussie]

Ooops, mine were all green, no brown, basking on the radish leaves. If I see any more non natives I will feed them to my ducks! Thank you.