Cotton Stainer Bug vs Kissing Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cotton Stainer Bug | Kissing Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dysdercus suturellus | Rhodnius prolixus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pyrrhocoridae | Reduviidae |
| Size | 12-17 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cotton Stainer Bug
A red and black bug that stains cotton bolls by introducing fungal spores while feeding.
Did You Know?
Aggregations of hundreds gather on fallen cotton bolls and hibiscus seed pods.
Kissing Bug
The principal vector of Chagas disease in Latin America. Named because it bites sleeping humans near the mouth and eyes, transmitting the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite through its feces.
Did You Know?
Kissing bugs defecate while feeding on sleeping victims — the parasite in their feces enters through the bite wound, infecting up to 8 million people with Chagas disease.