Red Cotton Bug vs California Red Scale
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Cotton Bug | California Red Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dysdercus koenigii | Aonidiella aurantii |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Pyrrhocoridae | Diaspididae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 1.5-2 mm diameter |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka) | Worldwide citrus-growing regions |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Red Cotton Bug
A bright red and black true bug that stains cotton lint by piercing developing cotton bolls. Adults and nymphs aggregate in large numbers on cotton plants, and their feeding introduces fungi that further damage the crop.
Did You Know?
The red staining caused by this bug's feeding on cotton bolls reduces the market value of the cotton fiber by creating permanent yellow spots.
California Red Scale
A circular reddish-brown armored scale insect that infests citrus bark, leaves, and fruit. Heavy infestations can kill branches and render fruit unmarketable.
Did You Know?
The parasitoid wasp Aphytis melinus is mass-reared by the billions to control this scale in California citrus orchards.