This podsucking bug is a pest of sorghum, soybeans, mungbeans and cowpeas. They are attracted to light and will often shelter in large numbers around houses.

This species may be confused with cotton stainers. Little is known of the behaviour of these species in cotton. They are currently neither a pest or beneficial. If they are present, ensure bolls are monitored for signs of plant bug damage.

Identification: These bugs are about 9mm long, the base colour is orange/red and they have black and orange markings on the back in a ‘cross’ pattern.  These differ from the cotton strainers, which has plain orange wings with two distinct spots.

Lifecycle: Females lay eggs in plant debris or on the underside of leaves; nymphs hatch and go through several instars before they develop into fully winged adults.

Habitat: Widespread in Australia found in sorghum, soybeans, mungbeans, cowpeas and cotton.

This podsucking bug may be confused with the Pale Cotton Stainer. If they are present, ensure bolls are monitored for signs of plant bug damage. 15mm Photo: J. Wessels DEEDI