Red Cotton Stainer

Description:

Dysdercus poecilus Herrich-Schäffer This species is in the Family; Pyrrhocoridae which Wikipedia describes as follows: "Species may be confused with bugs in the family Lygaeinae, but can be distinguished by the lack of ocelli on the head. They can be readily distinguished from most other genera of Pyrrhocoridae by the strong white markings at the junction of the head and thorax, and along the sides of the thorax, and often abdomen."

Habitat:

Spotted these D. poecilus in our vegetable plot on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). At first, there were just a few specimens dotted here and there throughout the crop, but their numbers grew rapidly and exponentially.