[Paul Canning]

These little devils were all over my rhubarb the other day and looked like they were mating too.

Im wondering if they'll do any damage?

Interestingly there was one out of the 20 or so I could see that was mainly green with a brown stripe across the back but all the others were like in the pics.

[Ice]

They're shield bugs I think.

[8doubles]

Shield Bugs for sure, being bugs they suck plant juices but i have never seen them in large enough numbers to do much damage.
I get a few in the raspberries and just leave them be.

[Paul Canning]

Thanks for the quick reply Ice, it appears that the green one i say is a shield bug but not the brown ones, which my google onward from your suggestion shows that they are Dock bugs.

looks like i need to do something about this as if they are just mating then when the eggs hatch they eat what they are laid on, perhaps the name suggests the type of food ie they may well eat my rhubarb :-/

So anyone got a suggestion as to the best way to get rid of them?

[Paul Canning]

8doubles really? Hmmm, maybe im just getting panicky then, I can live with them eating a few bits of leaves i guess as long as they're not going to go "locusty" on them :-)

[Aunt Sally]

I've never done anything about them.  They don't seem to do any damage, 

[Aunt Sally]

Great pictures by the way PC

[GrannieAnnie]

Have we got a 'bug' sticky Auntie?  We could put Paul's pics in it!  Might help some of us identify a few more bugs on our plants?

[Aunt Sally]

No I don't think we have.

Perhaps you'd like to start one Grannie

[Salmo]

They are also called stink bugs. Pick one up and hold it so that it cannot escape.

 Then smell your hands. 

[Paul Canning]

thanks all , they were only taken on the wifes mobile, amazing what they can do these days!!

Salmo, don't think Ill try that :-)