Red Cotton Bug

Found to infest cotton in all cotton growing regions. It is a major pest of cotton in most parts of tropical Africa, tropical Asia, USA and South America . Also attack Hibiscus spp., okra, Abutilon, etc.

Appearance:

Nymphs and adults are reddish with white bands on the abdomen and black markings on forewings.

          Nymphs                                                  Adult

Life cycle:

Eggs are laid in the soil near the plants. The incubation period is 7 days and nymphs become adults in 49-90 days.

Nature of damage:

Nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender parts of plants like leaves, petioles and shoots in early stages. Infest flower buds, immature bolls and just opened bolls.

Damage symptoms:

• Bolls open prematurely.
• Lint gets stained.
• Seeds remain underdeveloped with reduced oil content and lose ability to germinate.
• Site of feeding provides port of entry for bacteria which result in rottening of bolls and spoilage of lint.
• The seeds become unfit for sowing.

                      Feeding Site                                          Damaged Boll