Best time to see: May to mid Nov

Key facts

Shield bugs are similar to beetles, but instead of biting jaws they have straw-like mouths to suck sap out of plants

Different species occupy different habitats and feed off different plants

The green shield bug pictured here is very common and often found in gardens

Recognition

Wing cases normally cover their membranous flight wings; 10–15 mm

Squeeze out an almond-smelling liquid when disturbed – it smells like the cyanide compounds that deter predators

Lifecycle

Eggs are laid on suitable plants and usually hatch out and develop the same year

They spend the summer on plants, stabbing the stems with their beak-like mouth to suck the sap

Adults over-winter in leaf litter, in grass tussocks or under bark