shield bug question

mrbright · #1 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 07:36 PM

hi all, i have a pheasant bush shrub which is usually teeming with sunbathing shield bugs, they are not here yet, any ideas?

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 22-07-2010, 07:52 PM

Evening Mr. B,

I'm no expert on the behavioural patterns of Shieldbugs, but has anything/you done anything different with the bush over the winter? You know, lopping, tidying-up, etc. - something that may have reduced the number of eggs/over-wintering adults.

I'm sure you'll get a more experienced viewpoint shortly.

Take care,

Jason

Acutipuerilis · #3 (**permalink**) 23-07-2010, 06:45 AM

Do you know what sort of shieldbug it is usually? They have very different requirements, and the problem is likely to be with a different plant in the vicinity, or with the weather over the winter. Where are you, roughly?

mrbright · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2010, 04:11 PM

its just the common or garden green shield bugs, they have been here every year for about 8 years, and i just love them, usually spot 30 - 40 sunbathing at a time, but this year none so far. we did have a very snowy and cold winter here in hertfordshire. nothing has changed plant wise in the garden, no lopping or pruning, however we had our first nesting blue tits this year, and they did seem to spend a lot of time in the bush, could they be the reason?
hopefully the long winter has just delayed them, cos i would hate to think,that by encouraging one species, i lost the other.
tony