Metallic Shield Bug

Members of this bug family are commonly known as jewel bugs because of their bright, often metallic colouring. Jewel bugs range from 5 to 20 millimetres in length and are characterised by having an enlarged shield-like plate known as the scutellum which covers most of the wings and abdomen, making them appear similar to beetles. Groups of jewel bugs can often be seen clustered together on plants and shrubs.

The metallic shield bug, Scutiphora pedicellata can often be found sheltering in groups under bark or in leaf litter around the base native trees. This species grows to about 14 millimetres in length and feeds on the sap in fresh shoots of a variety of native and introduced plants causing them to wilt and drop off.