RED COTTON BUG. 



105 



scutellum and on each wing being black, the apex of the wings absolutely 

 black and forming when folded a black diamond on the upper surface. 



Fm. 122. 



Bug mistaken for 

 Red Cotton Bug. 

 (From Distant.) 



FIG. 123. 

 Eed Cotton Bug. 



(Magnified.} 

 (From Distant.) 



FIG. 124. 



Bug mistaken for 

 Eed Cotton Bug, 

 (From Distant.) 



There are white transverse lines on the lower surface of the body and a 

 tiny white ring behind the head ; the long sucking beak lies between the 

 legs. The insect is not likely to be confused if carefully examined, but 

 there are other bugs which have a generally similar appearance, though 

 distinct markings. 



Life History* The eggs are laid in a loose mass under the surface 

 of the soil, usually in a crack or depression, which the female covers with 

 earth after depositing the eggs. Each egg is round, of a light yellow 

 colour ; between fifty and sixty are laid by each female. In less than 

 a week the eggs hatch to small active red insects ; wings are not 

 present, the upper surface of the abdomen being red, with a central row 

 of black spots and a row of white ones on each side. In other respects 

 the young insect is similar to the full grown winged insect. 



The young moult periodically and grow larger. After the third 

 moult the wings commence to appear as small back lobes on the base of 

 the abdomen. These grow larger at each moult ; there are, as a rule, five 

 moults in all, the insect appearing with perfect wings after the fifth. 



The male is slightly smaller than the female ; these couple and the 

 females may then be recognised by the swollen abdomen. 



The red cotton bug also attacks the bhindi plant (Hibiscus esculen- 

 tus) and the silk cotton tree ; enormous numbers are found when the 

 latter is fruiting in April and it breeds extensively at this time. On 

 cotton it feeds on the leaves or stems, but especially on the seeds in the 

 green or ripe boll. It may be found clustered on the bolls, the beak 

 firmly fixed, sucking out the juice, Where either cotton or bhindi are 



