White-spotted Ichneumon vs Neotropical Cotton Stainer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-spotted Ichneumon Neotropical Cotton Stainer
Scientific Name Compsocryptus texensis Dysdercus peruvianus
Order Hymenoptera Hemiptera
Family Ichneumonidae Pyrrhocoridae
Size 10-18 mm 12-17 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Omnivores Seed Feeders
Regions Southern United States, Mexico Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White-spotted Ichneumon

A medium black ichneumon wasp with conspicuous white spots on the thorax and legs. It parasitizes spider egg sacs and caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few ichneumon wasps adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the American Southwest.

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.