African Cotton Stainer vs Seven-Spot Ladybird
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Cotton Stainer | Seven-Spot Ladybird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dysdercus fasciatus | Coccinella septempunctata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Pyrrhocoridae | Coccinellidae |
| Size | 13-18 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Cotton Stainer
A vividly red and black pyrrhocorid bug that is a significant pest of cotton across tropical Africa. It aggregates in large numbers on cotton plants where it feeds on developing bolls. The bold coloration signals its unpalatability to birds.
Did You Know?
Large mating aggregations of hundreds of individuals form dense red clusters on cotton plants, making them highly conspicuous to farmers.
Seven-Spot Ladybird
The most common ladybird in Europe. Its bright red coloring with seven black spots warns predators of its bitter taste. A voracious predator of aphids.
Did You Know?
A single seven-spot ladybird can eat over 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, making it one of the most effective biological pest controllers.