This species lost its importance on cotton during the mid-twentieth century, primarily because of the elimination of cotton waste that provided breeding and overwintering sites, but also due to effective chemical controls. However, during that period cotton also lost its former eminence as a crop in Florida. Maximum acreage of cotton in Florida occurred in 1911 and amounted to 319,000 acres. By 1920, it was down to 100,000 acres and remained at about that level until 1937, when a downward trend began. In 1965, 22,000 acres were planted, and in 1966 only an estimated 15,000 acres were planted. However, in the mid-1990s cotton planting experienced a resurgence. In 2003, 109,000 acres were planted in northern Florida. In 2004, acreage is expected to increase by another 5,000 acres. For the past five or so years acreage has been in the 90,000 to 110,000 acre range (Sprenkel 2004).
Cotton stainers are currently noteworthy because of their presence on and occasional damage to fruits and ornamentals, particularly malvaceous plants such as Hibiscus spp.
Nymphs: There are five nymphal stages or instars. The first usually is spent underground. The duration of each of the first four stages typically averages four to five days during midsummer, but the fifth stage commonly takes about twice as long. All five stanges require from 21 to 35 days to complete (Sprenkel 2000). The nymphs are generally red. The fourth and fifth instars have dark wing pads, and the dividing lines between abdominal segments become very distinct as maturity is approached.
This adult is narrow, around 3/5 inch long, long legged, has a bright red thorax, and brown wings crossed with yellow.
There are several generations a year. The life cycle can vary from about a month to three and a half months, depending primarily upon temperature differences. The various species are attracted to lights.
2(1). Length over 13 mm; corium and clavus without pale borders; black spot of corium round and large; scutellum at least partly darkened; collar of pronotum concolorous red; clavus
embrowned adjacent to scutellum only . . . . . very rare undetermined species
2'. Length under 12.5 mm; corium and clavus with pale margins forming a "St. Andrews Cross"; black spots of corium variable in shape and size but not round and generally forming a transverse bar near base of membrane; scutellum entirely reddish; collar of pronotum contrasting pale yellow; clavus entirely brown . . . . . andreae
3(1'). Length 12-17 mm; antennal segment I distinctly longer than segment II, the latter
approximately 7/10ths the length of the basal segment . . . . . suturellus
3'. Length 10 mm or less; antennal segment I equal or subequal to segment II . . . . . mimulus
This insect also has been a severe pest of oranges on occasions. In puncturing an orange, a cotton stainer often inserts its beak full length with no visible wound; nevertheless, a single puncture may cause the orange to drop in a few hours from the tree and to decay in one or two days (Hubbard 1885). There are old reports of orange trees well reddened with cotton stainers in which whole crops were lost.
Some other hosts of D. suturellus include tangerines, okra pods, ripe fruit of papaya, pods and blossoms of oleander, seed pods of Jamaica sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), tree hibiscus (H. syriacus), Turk's cap, teaweed (Sida sp.), Caesar's weed or Spanish cocklebur (Urena lobata), Spanish needle (Bidens pilosa), seaside mahoe or portiatree (Thespesia populnea), rose buds and blossoms, eggplant, nightshade, and guava.
The hosts of the other species of Dysdercus are essentially the same as for suturellus. The Division of Plant Industry has one record of royal poinciana being severely damaged by D. andreae. The feeding activities of cotton stainers on cotton produce a stain on the lint which reduces its value. A few authorities have reported the stain comes from excrement of the bugs. However, most have stated that the stain primarily is a result of the bug puncturing the seeds in the developing bolls causing a juice to exude that leaves an indelible stain. Feeding by puncturing flower buds or young cotton bolls usually causes reduction in size, or the fruiting body may abort and drop to the ground.
Author: F.W. Mead (retired), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry; and T.R.Fasulo, University of Florida
Originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 48. Updated for this publication.
Photographs: Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida; and Division of Plant Industry
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-330
Publication Date: June 2004. Revised March 2005.
Copyright 2004-2005 University of Florida
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adults and nymphs
nymphs
nymph closeup
dorsal view
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adults mating