Spined soldier bug

Podisus maculiventris

These beneficial insects attack over 100 different insect species, especially on caterpillars and other immature, larval forms. Both immature nymphs and adult spined soldier bugs may be used against Mexican bean beetles, Colorado potato beetles, cabbage loopers and cabbage worms, tent caterpillars, corn earworms and European corn borers, gypsy moths and diamondback moths, armyworms, hornworms and webworms, and others.

Where spined soldier bugs occur naturally - most of the United States and southern Canada - pheromone-based lures may be used, first thing in spring, to attract them. Eggs and nymphs may also be purchased commercially, and are deployed one per lightly-infested plant, and five per heavily-infested plant; these will provide up to several months of control. They should be distributed evenly: they will prey on other spined soldier bugs as well as on the target pest.

Note that spined soldier bugs are quite sensitive to a range of pesticides, though they will tolerate pyrethrins better than many of their target pests.

 

See Also Pyrethrins Sticky traps

 
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