Insect identification

[Damonchari]

Hello! Haven't had too many problems with pests this outdoor grow besides the occasional chewed up leaf. I've been finding these guys quite often (pictured below) and the closest thing I can find to them are the brown stink bug, or the spined soldier beetle.

Both are almost identical but the soldier beetle is a predator of soft bodied caterpillars (gods work). I held him for a bit and was kind of smelling for the tell tale stink that they release when threatened.
I was wondering what are your thoughts? Was I sniffing a stink bug or a spined soldier beetle? Haha.

Thanks

 

[TorturedSoul]

The latter (in my opinion).

 

[Damonchari]

I hope so, little mercenaries

 

[Liquidintel]

I found this online, I hope its helpful, the one on your hand doesn't seem to have super pronounced shoulders.

 

[Damonchari]

Awhh I think you're right then, I was looking for the pointed shoulders or a smell. Looks like I have some stink bugs haha

 

[Liquidintel]

So similar it's crazy!

 

[andIhalped]

I found this online, I hope its helpful, the one on your hand doesn't seem to have super pronounced shoulders.

Nice work, liquid!

 

[TorturedSoul]

You of the good eyes and better camera (or vice versa) ought to set up a Send Your Buds - err... Bugs Here for Identification address. I'm getting to the point where I occasionally find myself thinking, "Nice, these blurs are a lot larger than the blurs I see here 'in real life'," lol.

But then who'd want to receive random unidentified critters on a regular basis? I find life to be challenging enough with the odd cat or two showing up. And those, I can still see.

BtW, this thread - with the pictures and all - would go nicely in our Problems, Pests & Disease Control section. @Swashp , do you mind if I use the "Report Post" function to see if I can get a staff member to move it there? I'm guessing that others will eventually encounter these bugs.

 

[Damonchari]

You of the good eyes and better camera (or vice versa) ought to set up a Send Your Buds - err... Bugs Here for Identification address. I'm getting to the point where I occasionally find myself thinking, "Nice, these blurs are a lot larger than the blurs I see here 'in real life'," lol.

But then who'd want to receive random unidentified critters on a regular basis? I find life to be challenging enough with the odd cat or two showing up. And those, I can still see.

BtW, this thread - with the pictures and all - would go nicely in our Problems, Pests & Disease Control section. @Swashp , do you mind if I use the "Report Post" function to see if I can get a staff member to move it there? I'm guessing that others will eventually encounter these bugs.

I don't mind atall
A big difference between very similar looking bugs. I'm sure someone could use the info from the picture above.

 

[Zincite]

Nice work, thanks

 

[andIhalped]

Found a spined soldier bug in my grow today...let's go team! Thanks for the ID!

The more I garden, the more interested I've become in the invertebrates living their lives along with me.