Dysdercus
Dysdercus is a widespread genus of true bugs in the family Pyrrhocoridae; a number of species attacking cotton bolls may be called "cotton stainers."
Description
Species may be confused with bugs in the family Lygaeidae, but can be distinguished by the lack of ocelli on the head. They can be readily distinguished from most other genera of Pyrrhocoridae by the strong white markings at the junction of the head and thorax, and along the sides of the thorax, and often abdomen.Ecology
Some members of the genus attack cotton bolls and are known as "cotton stainers." There are several species of tachinid flies that are parasitoids of Dysdercus nymphs and have been used as biocontrol agents.Species
; subgenus Dysdercus Guérin-Méneville, 1831Dysdercus albofasciatus Berg, 1878Dysdercus albomaculatus Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus andreae Dysdercus basialbus Schmidt, 1932Dysdercus bimaculatus Dysdercus bloetei Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus capitatus Distant, 1883Dysdercus cardinalis Gerstäcker, 1873Dysdercus chaquensis Freiberg, 1948Dysdercus chiriquinus Distant, 1883Dysdercus concinnus Stål, 1861Dysdercus cordillerensis Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus discolor Walker, 1872Dysdercus fasciatus Signoret, 1861 - cotton stainer Dysdercus fernaldi Ballou, 1906Dysdercus fervidus Bergroth, 1914Dysdercus flavidus Signoret, 1861Dysdercus flavolimbatus Stål, 1861Dysdercus fulvoniger Dysdercus goyanus Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus honestus Blöte, 1931Dysdercus imitator Blöte, 1931Dysdercus immarginatus Blöte, 1931Dysdercus jamaicensis Walker, 1872Dysdercus longirostris Stål, 1861Dysdercus lunulatus Uhler, 1861Dysdercus luteus Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus maurus Distant, 1901Dysdercus melanoderes Karsch, 1892Dysdercus mimuloides Blöte, 1933Dysdercus mimulus Hussey, 1929Dysdercus mimus Dysdercus neglectus Doesburg, 1968Dysdercus nigrofasciatus Stål, 1855Dysdercus obliquus Dysdercus obscuratus Distant, 1883Dysdercus ocreatus Dysdercus ortus Distant, 1909Dysdercus peruvianus Guérin-Méneville, 1831 - type speciesDysdercus ruficeps Dysdercus ruficollis Dysdercus rusticus Stål, 1870Dysdercus sanguinarius Stål, 1870Dysdercus superstitiosus Dysdercus suturellus - cotton stainer Dysdercus urbahni Schmidt, 1932Dysdercus wilhelminae Doesburg, 1968; subgenus Leptophthalmus Stål, 1870 Dysdercus argillaceus Breddin, 1895Dysdercus decussatus Boisduval, 1835Dysdercus fuscomaculatus Stål, 1863Dysdercus philippinus Herrich-Schaeffer 1850
; subgenus Neodysdercus Stehlík, 1965Dysdercus haemorrhoidalis Signoret, 1858Dysdercus intermedius Distant, 1902 - cotton stainer Dysdercus orientalis Schouteden, 1910Dysdercus pretiosus Distant, 1902
; subgenus Paradysdercus Stehlík, 1965Dysdercus cingulatus - red cotton stainerDysdercus evanescens Distant, 1902Dysdercus festivus Gerstäcker, 1892Dysdercus koenigii - red cotton stainer Dysdercus longiceps Breddin, 1901Dysdercus micropygus Breddin, 1909Dysdercus poecilus Dysdercus sidae Montrouzier, 1861
; incertae sedisDysdercus bidentatus Hussey, 1927Dysdercus cinctus Scudder, 1890Dysdercus collaris Blöte, 1931Dysdercus impictiventris Stål, 1870Dysdercus insularis Stål, 1870Dysdercus scassellati Del Guercio, 1918Dysdercus stehliki Schaefer, 2013Dysdercus unicolor Scudder, 1890