About the Cabbage Bug
Eurydema oleracea is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae commonly known as the rape bug, crucifer shield bug, cabbage bug, or brassica bug. Its specific name oleracea means "related to vegetables/herbs" in Latin and is a form of holeraceus (oleraceus).
The rape bug has a shiny, flat, dark-colored body about 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long and 4 mm (0.16 in) wide. The species has a dark ground colour, which is overlain with red, yellow, cream, white, or orange markings. An oval spot is on the top of the mesonotum and one on each of the elytra, as well as a longitudinal stripe on the prothorax. In young adults, these spots are yellow, but change to white or red in older bugs. The colour of the abdomen changes at the same time from buff to black. Such age-specific changes in the imago coloration are connected with sexual maturation of the bugs and often take place in diapausing imagos at the time they are becoming active again.
The eggs are cylindrical and buff-colored with a dark pattern. They are laid on the stems and inflorescences of host plants in batches usually of about 12 eggs in two neat rows. Each female lays 60 to 80 eggs over a period... Wikipedia →