Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We found a cluster of eggs on the lemon basil. A day later they had hatched. then the leaf they were on threatened to fall into the FT. Have temprarily rescued them (the plate didnt work so they went into a takeaway container). Can any one recognise them? They are the size of a pin head so a good photo is tricky

Have just remembered the thread that mentioned adding photos in reverse order. Ooops

My guess is that they are there to eat something, like most critters. They will either eat the plant or something that's on or near the plant.

I would leave some on the plant and keep an eye on them. I would feed the rest to the fish.

Nice photos

Cheers
Pat

Bad - Shield bugs - and they are a pain as they pierce the tomatoes and leave a bitter and sticky residue. You will know what I mean if you accidentally get a tomato that has had one on it. yuk!
Nice photos!

Ah, Cheers Faye. Know of the aduld bugs but until now hadnt seen juveniles. I think the Barra may enjoy a live feed...
Cheers Pat, but no chance of re release. Besides they move to fast to keep an eye on.

Any ideas Faye about how to treat for shield bugs in AP? The rest of the garden got hammered by them this year

I found a few amongst my cherry tomatoes this morning, and when you have your eye in you start to see more of the little blighters, pick them off and feed them to the fish or chickens, be warned they can fly. If you tap the plant some will get dislodged and fall making them easier to find and dispose of, best done in the morning while they are still lethargic.
There are parasitic wasps that are good bugs that will lay eggs in them, that is how tiny the wasps are, the non stinging type. Some spiders and lizards will eat the adults. There is a whole article in edition 11 of the BYAP magazine about shiedl bugs, and pictures of the same eggs that rrjl6572 posted.
Don't you love the pattern of the eggs? I witnessed one of the green shield bugs laying the hexagon pattern on a cherry tomato, and photographed and videoed it, yeah I know I'm sick. Then I took the tomato on holidays and shared the birth of the parasitic wasps with my housemates, before bringing them home and releasing them back here again