Help with insect identification: on tomato plants

[Forest Hill Climber]

I would appreciate it if gardeners and allotmenteers could have a look and let me know what the critters are in the picture. I haven't seen these in previous years.

[Sue]

ChatGPT says:

[Forest Hill Climber]

Thank you Sue. But are you certain? I've looked at several pictures of early-stage Harlequins and they look more elongated than the guys in my own picture.

 

 

Edited September 16 by Forest Hill Climber

[Friernlocal]

Shield bug nymphs 

[Sue]

I'm not certain, of course, because I just asked ChapGPT, which is not 100% reliable.

I have never seen them before.

I asked again, and Friernlocal is right!

Edited September 16 by Sue

[Jules-and-Boo]

really interesting - I found this 

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/tools-and-resources/identification/what-is-this-bug/green-vegetable-bug-immature-nymph

 

[Forest Hill Climber]

7 hours ago, Friernlocal said:

Shield bug nymphs 

Thank you. I have seen shield  bugs around for several years, just never the nymphs. I'm guessing it's the Common Green Shield bug variety, but possibly the Southern Green shield bug.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2021/05/shieldbug-identification/

https://britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/nezara_viridula.html

 

Edited September 16 by Forest Hill Climber