Can anyone identify this beetle?

[Snooks1971]

He/she arrived on my Mother’s Day flowers but the flowers had stood outside in the garden during the previous day, so I’m not sure if he came with the flowers originally or climbed aboard outside. Should I put him outside? Don’t want him to die!

I’m overthinking but I do care about insects.

It's one of the shield bugs, not sure which one. He might like to revisit the garden but somewhere sheltered.

@Ratfinkstinkypink thank you - Google didn’t help me. Think I will put the flowers back outside the back door overnight and see if he hops off 🤞🏼

I wouldn't leave your alstroemeria out overnight, the temperature change is likely to cause their rapid demise. Just break off the flower that the shield bug is on and pop it outside in a sheltered spot. I think it's lovely that you are caring about wildlife, but your bug is much more acclimatised to March night time temperatures than your flowers are.

@heathspeedwell thanks so much, I’ve just popped the one stem outside in water in between some pots with greenery so hopefully the stem - and bug! - will be ok. Forecast is mild tonight. Lucky to have been given a few bunches of Lidl’s finest alstroemeria and so one less stem is fine if it perishes.

It's a Green Shieldbug. They're darker over winter - normally a brighter green. Very common.

Makes sense, I see a few bright green ones over the warmer months. It clicks in my brain now 😊

I like them. They look almost prehistoric, don't they?

This has reminded me of the hours I spent as a child searching for Colorado beetles as I’d read they were dangerous and had to be reported - I had visions of myself single handedly saving the UK’s potatoes and being a hero but I never found one 😂😂😂

@Staringatthewalls You can start looking for rosemary beetles now instead! Not notifiable, but very pretty.

Yes I know what you mean! Like little armoured tanks. I’ve always had huge respect for small amazing bugs.

I used to ‘save’ wet flies and midges from the sink on loo roll as a child, dry them out then return them to the wild

Shield bugs are fascinating creatures. They lay clusters of luminous green eggs on the underside of leaves (they articulately like fruit trees). I found a cluster of eggs a while back and looked at them under the microscope. Each egg has a tiny little circular hatch on the top. The bugs are born with a tin opener shaped claw which they use to open the hatch. Bizarre but true.

No idea but you’re a lovely person 😊

No way!!! I have no words, how utterly glorious!

A time lapse video of them coming out of their eggs.

Put it outside, OP. They make an astonishingly loud noise when they fly about At night, It sounds as if an fighter plane is zooming around your bedroom .
(well, the green ones do)

🙀

That’s beautiful. Makes me feel like a giant.

He’s outside!