The Spined Soldier bug (Podisus maculventris) preys on many garden pests, particularly hairless caterpillars and beetle larvae, including the Mexican bean beetle larvae. It looks a lot like the destructive grey-black stinkbug. The beneficial Spined Soldier bug, though, ranges in color from yellow to brown and is covered with black specks. It has distinctive sharp points on its shoulders, and has tiny spines on the undersides of its front legs.