Hello @sallysmith. Basing on the photos, he is definitely a Hemipteran (insect order for true bugs), not a Coleopteran (insect order for beetles). Mind if I ask you where was these taken? "Ralph" is more likely a stink/shield bug, but be careful, he might be a kissing bug (I cannot be sure since the photos are blurry). Depending on where you're at, "Ralph" may be a vector of Chagas disease (if he turns out to be a kissing bug). Insects are great, but I recommend to identify them correctly first before getting close to them and take pictures of them.^^
You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
Thanks for the info these pics were taken on my back porch in Ontario Canada and I've never seen one like him before in this neck of the woods. Kissing bug sounds friendly enough lol
Oh trust me, you don't want to be near a kissing bug (google kissing bug and you'll know what I mean). Ralph might be a forest species stink bug. Kissing bugs are geographically contained in South America and some parts of Southern US, so you're more likely in the clear. But don't touch "Ralph" if ever you see him again. His insect group is called "stink bugs" for a reason.😇
I sure hope he's harmless he's too pretty to be mean..
Don't poke the bug, or I'll have to call you stinky ! Bahaha 😂 👅BTW, he looks more like a Samuel . ...
Yep they're pretty harmless. They just release those stinky chemicals when they feel agitated. So if you give "Ralph", he won't do anything.^^