Unknown bugs!

stupid.little.genius

Hi! I was just watering the garden when I noticed this pile of strange bugs on a leaf.  On the leaf above is another bug but I don’t know if it is a relative of theirs.  Does anyone have any idea what these are? Are they friend or foe??

Alan Clark2 in Liverpool

The top one is a Ladybird pupa, definitely a friend. Dunno about the others.

Dovefromabove

Yes, ladybird pupa transforming into a ladybird.  

As for the others, not sure but if they're good guys then that's great, and if they're not, my betting is the ladybird or bluetits will probably eat them at this time of year so I wouldn't worry. 

Certainly no sprays ... don't want to kill the ladybirds 

stupid.little.genius

Oooo a baby becoming a lady! Awesome! I've never seen that before! Definitely don't want to do anything to hurt her! I try to never spray or remove unless it's hurting the plants.

Could the little black ones be the same, only just hatched or something? If not, I'm glad I have a ladybird in the making to help deal with the little pesties! 

Alan Clark2 in Liverpool

The small ones look like young shield bugs if you look at the image full size. It is not easy to identify the exact species but shield bugs are pretty harmless.

stupid.little.genius

Oh!! I think you've found answer!  There have been lot of shield bugs in the garden this year too, so it makes sense they had some babies too!  They are definitely welcome to stay! Thanks!

Lyn

I think the small ones are ladybirds newly hatched.

wild edges

Have a look here http://http//www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/nezara_viridula.html We'd need much more detailed pics to give you an exact ID but this link shows you the instar stages shield bugs go through so you can look out for them as they morph.