Insect and Spider Identification: CLOSED: ID for this reclusive bug? Good or Bad?, 1 by podster

podster wrote:
I've been watching these reclusive bugs all summer and finally snagged a fairly clear photo of one. Of course, they were mating so didn't run and hide.

They are the size of the common boxelder bug. They have spent the summer on my Hoyas and Stapelia plants. It would appear they are dining on aphids and mealies. When I walk up to the plants, they run to hide under leaves and sometimes I have found clusters of them.

I would love to know what they are and are they as good as I think they are?