Cotton Stainer Bug

Dysdercus koenigii

Description:

Big red and black bugs.

Notes:

Found this and thought it was interesting: The life cycle, mating behaviour, fecundity, longivity and seasonal occurrence of the red cotton bug, Dysdercus koenigii Fab. was studied at Rampur, Chitwan during 1984-85. The male and female bugs survived for an average of 9.27 (+3.6) and 10.44 (+3.85) days, respectively, from April to September. An adult female bug laid an average of 74.76 (+26.60) eggs with 66.64 (+18.19) percent hatchability in its life time. Premating and mating durations were 3.81 (+1.01) days and 36.21 (+20.0) hours, respectively, with a mean mating frequency of 6.33 (+3.98) times. The egg and nymphal periods lasted for 4.15 (+0.81) and 27.30 (+2.62) days, respectively. This pest was prevalent in the field from late March to September. It had six generation a year. During the winter season, this insect entered into hibernation as adults.

Species ID Suggestions

7 Comments

RachaelB 11 years ago

Awesome work Agnes, thanks a lot!

Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Fire Bugs

AgnesAdiqueTalavera 11 years ago

Rachael, I think I found your bug, Dysdercus koenigii - (nymph) http://www.nundafoto.net/forum/topic/156... (adult) http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeschylus18.... They look like the longer version of Dysdercus cingulatus.

AgnesAdiqueTalavera 11 years ago

Yes Rachel, they are the nymphs.. I also have a nymph spotting that could be from different Dysdercus sp. , but they seem to look alike! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/152....
For me, it's always hard to tell with these nymphs, they should be spotted together with their parents :)

RachaelB 11 years ago

Thanks for the help Agnes. I think you are right, the one on the left definitely looks like a cotton stainer and maybe the other 3 with different markings are just younger? I haven't been able to find a similar pic to them though. I think Nepal has 2 species of cotton stainers; Dysdercus cingulatus and D. evanescens.