DISEASES OF THE COTTON PLAliTT. 219 
abdomen, and contrasting with the dark color of the wing- 
cases. The under-wings are hidden under the upper wing- 
cases, and are transparent, veined, and of a yellowish color, 
clouded with black. The thighs of the fore-legs are some- 
what spiny near the tibiae, and of a red color. The tibiae 
and tarsi are black ; the under part of the body is bright 
red, with rings of yellowish white running around it, on 
the edge of each segment. 
The female produces about one hundred eggs; the 
young larva is completely red, almost scarlet, with distinct 
whitish-yellow bands around the body, an the edge of^ 
each segment. The thighs are red, with the tibiae, tars| 
and antennae blackish. J 
The pupa differs only in size, and in having the un-^^ 
formed wing-cases very small and black, contrasting strongly 
with the vivid red of the body. 
The perfect male is about three-fifths of an inch in 
length, and the female about seven-tenths of an inch, from 
the head to the end of the abdomen. They are similar in 
shape and color, differing only in size. The head and eyes 
are red, the antennae black, with four long joints; 
The following communication on the subject of this 
insect was received from Mr. B. Hopkins, of Jacksonville, 
a practical sea-island planter, of nearly thirty years' ex- 
perience : 
" The ' red bugs,' or, as they are sometimes properly 
denominated, the ' cotton-stainers,' generally make their 
appearance about August, or late in July, which is near the 
usual season for cotton to begin to open. They can read- 
ily be distinguished from other bugs, hannless in their na- 
ture, by their being of a red color, and more sluggish in 
their movements. The nearer the fruit advances toward 
maturity, the more injury they do to the cotton. The 
