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BugGuide Gathering
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July 10-12, 2009
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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Red Bugs (Pyrrhocoridae) » Cotton Stainers (Dysdercus) » St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer (Dysdercus andreae)
Photo#310770
Cotton Stainers - Dysdercus andreae - male - female
Copyright © 2009 Jim Ward

Cotton Stainers - Dysdercus andreae - Male Female
Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida, USA
July 1, 2009
I have seen these during the day and early evening. They are usually in the road and seem to be feeding on tree leaves and buds. Adults are joined at the tail(Mateing) and they have the X or hourglass marking. Verry young are entirely
red and yound adults have white stripes. Some larger groups also seem to be cannibalistic. Can anyone add more information. How benifical or destructive? Are my observations correct? They are beautifully marked. I have seen these all year but more often in hotter weather and only in one area. Is this due to habitat?
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Contributed by Jim Ward on 27 July, 2009 - 9:57am
Last updated 27 July, 2009 - 6:51pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… margarethe brummermann, 27 July, 2009 - 6:51pm login or register to post comments

Cotton stainers.
Unless you are growing cotton, no worries. They can do cosmetic damage to cotton in the course of feeding. Bright colors suggest they are poisonous to eat, so might avoid consuming them:-) Otherwise, no problem! Two adults are on the left in this image, mating; a nymph (baby) is in the lower right corner.
… Eric R. Eaton, 27 July, 2009 - 12:48pm login or register to post comments

 
Cotton Stainers not hourglass
Mr. Eaton

Thank You for the identification. It was quick and was the key to
gaining knowledge of this creature.

I got indepth info from Univ. of Florida department of Entomology
"Featured Creatures" page.

Not to worry, they are not on the menu.

Thanks again
Jim Ward
… Jim Ward, 27 July, 2009 - 2:07pm login or register to post comments

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