Brassica Shield Bug

This little bug is one of 44 species of the Shield Bug species in the UK. Sometimes known as Stink Bugs, all the species can produce a foul smelling liquid, which isn't pleasant if you accidentally iron one.

This one is called Eurydema oleracea, if you like Latin, or more commonly known as the Brassica Shield Bug. Locally it can also be know as a Rape Shield Bug, the Crucifer Shield Bug or a Cabbage Bug. Whatever it is called, in a year when the populations soar, they can give a rather nasty taste to any vegetable of the cabbage family. This one is on my Kale but as I've only found a couple I doubt they could do any harm. The things that are stripping them down to the stem are others. That will be my blip for tomorrow.