I found these creatures living on my runner bean plants. I've searched on many different sites but can not find photos of them anywhere. I'm wondering what they are and if they're good or bad for my garden. Something has been gobbling up most of the runner bean flowers and I'm wondering if these guys (or gals) are the culprits although I've not yet witnessed them doing any damage. They are between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch long and residing in north eastern NJ.
it's shield bugs nymph.
This message was edited Jul 7, 2011 12:19 AM
I agree with Shytonak, the one on the right is a shield bug. The one on the left, I believe, is a juvenile leaf-hopper of some kind.
Thank you both-I referenced your suggestions and found photos of bugs that match mine. Mystery solved. Guess I'll be tossing the shield bug nymphs (aka: stink bug) into a bucket of water like I do with the asiatic garden beetles. Leaf hoppers get mixed reviews online-I haven't decided what, if anything, to do with them yet.
I kill leaf hoppers when I can catch them. One of them carries a virus that deforms my coneflowers.
