Species
Podisus maculiventris (Spined soldier bug)
Podisus maculiventris. Photo: (c) Carolyn Gritzmaker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
The spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) is a species of insect common in North America. They are predators of gypsy moth caterpillars and the larvae of beetles such as the Colorado potato beetle and the Mexican bean beetle. Since the Mexican bean beetle is widely regarded as a notorious agricultural pest in North America, soldier bugs are generally considered useful garden insects.
Sightings
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