American shield bug: The new garden menace threatening your blooms

When we dedicate much time and energy to maintaining our garden, we expect to be rewarded with beautiful flowers and lush vegetation. Unfortunately, these dreams can suddenly be shattered by the appearance of pests, including the American shield bug.

Insects in the garden can be beneficial and extremely harmful. Although the American shield bug hadn't drawn much attention until recently, many people have encountered it at least once.

The American shield bug, classified among true bugs, is characterised by an elongated and oval body with a rusty hue, reaching up to 0.6 inches in length. In a threatening situation, the American shield bug can emit a strong, irritating odour. If this substance gets on fruits, it can cause them to lose their taste, affecting preserve quality.

Once it attacks plants, knowing where to look for it is essential. This pest particularly favours peonies, hydrangeas, sowthistle, and dandelions. The American shield bug also readily feeds on fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, and rhubarb.

Using its mouthparts, it sucks water and juices from plants, causing them to yellow, wilt, and in the case of fruits, lose their flesh. Unfortunately, dedicated chemical agents for its control have yet to be developed, so gardeners must use treatments intended for similar pests.

Removing weeds and carefully collecting insects from the leaves immediately after spotting them can prevent plant damage.