Neotropical Cotton Stainer vs Bordered Plant Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Cotton Stainer Bordered Plant Bug
Scientific Name Dysdercus peruvianus Largus californicus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Pyrrhocoridae Largidae
Size 12-17 mm 12-17 mm
Habitat Heathland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Seed Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Neotropical Cotton Stainer

A bright red and black seed bug that feeds on cotton bolls and malvaceous plants. Its feeding stains cotton fibers, reducing commercial value.

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Did You Know?

Its vivid red and black warning colors advertise chemical defenses that make it taste repulsive to bird predators.

Bordered Plant Bug

A dark blue-black bug with bright orange margins common in arid parts of California. Nymphs are iridescent blue and gather in large groups.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs cluster in spectacular iridescent blue groups that can number in the hundreds on a single plant.