Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 2012177

Common Cotton Stainer Bug

Dysdercus suturellus

Also known as Cotton Stainer, Red Bug

Common cotton stainer bugs congregate in vibrant clusters on malvaceous plants, using piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on developing seeds. As they puncture ripening cotton bolls, their excrement and introduced fungi permanently stain the raw fibers yellowish-brown, which historically made them a notorious agricultural nuisance. Both flightless nymphs and winged adults display bold scarlet-and-yellow aposematic patterns that warn potential predators of noxious defensive compounds sequestered from their host plants.

HerbivorousColorfulAgricultural Pest
Common Cotton Stainer Bug reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Cotton seeds
  • Hibiscus seeds
  • Citrus fruit sap
Predators
  • Assassin bugs
  • Orb-weaver spiders
  • Insectivorous birds
ThreatsPesticide application and agricultural pest management
HabitatsAgricultural fields, roadsides, coastal scrub, gardens
Life span2–3 months
Classification
  1. OrderHemiptera
  2. FamilyPyrrhocoridae
  3. GenusDysdercus
  4. SpeciesDysdercus suturellus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Host Plant Spotting: Look for dense groups of red nymphs on hibiscus, rose mallow, and okra pods.
  • Gentle Inspection: Harmless to touch, but they may emit an unpleasant defensive odor when agitated.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…