strange beetle

Hi all, I have an infestation of beetles that have appeared on my lavender and rosemary pot. They are small (little finger nail sized) and a greeny gold colour - very metallic ion the sunlight. Lavender seems fine, so I guess questions are:

1) What on earth are they
2) Are they bad
3) What should I do?

 

Oh, I have photo but dont know how to post it!

 

Beetles, as a rule, are gardener friendly. The only unfriendly one that I can think of is flea beetle. Which yours aren`t.:gnthb:

 

oh fab! I wont worry then! Thanks :-)

 

Most beetles, including the Shield Bug, will get rid of aphids. Wasps are also greenfly killers.:gnthb:

 

They sound like these are they?

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/leafbeetle.htm

 

yep that's them, leaf beetles! I might leave them if they eat aphids as I have terrible problems with greenfly on my lupins!

 

I hate to be a bearer of bad news but they eat leaves not aphids, they are bad for the garden, sorry.

Donna x

 

I've noticed, they have made a right meal of my rhubarb! I've moved them on (well the ones I can see!) to a nature reserve over the road (masses of weeds for them to feed on!) and the council said I could!