# St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer (*Dysdercus andreae*)

The St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer is a colorful bug that loves to munch on cotton plants. With its bright red and black colors, it stands out in gardens and fields!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dysdercus_andreae.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dysdercus_andreae.jpg)

## Appearance

The St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer is a medium-sized bug with a striking red body, marked distinctly by a white X-shape (St. Andrew's cross) on its back. Its head, antennae, and legs are black, and it has black spots on its wings.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hemiptera
- **Family:** Pyrrhocoridae
- **Genus:** Dysdercus

## Interesting facts

- Cotton stainers can sometimes get mistaken for firebugs due to similar colors!
- Its "X" marking resembles the flag of Scotland, honoring Saint Andrew!
- Their messy eating habits can actually discolor cotton fibers!
- These bugs drink liquids from seeds, not munch on solid plant parts!

## Special abilities

- **Warning Colors:** St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer has bright red and black colors that help them warn predators they might be distasteful or toxic.
- **Seed Sucker:** St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer can pierce tough seed pods with their needle-like mouthparts to extract nutritious liquids.
- **Crowd Power:** St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer can gather in large groups that help them confuse and deter potential predators.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm
- **Size:** 12-17 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-60 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Feeds on the seeds of various plants, primarily cotton and mallow species.

- **Primary Foods:** Cotton seeds, Mallow seeds, Hibiscus seeds, Okra seeds
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Upland Cotton (*Gossypium hirsutum*) — Feeds on the seeds, potentially damaging cotton crops.
- **Eats:** [Common Mallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-mallow) (*Malva neglecta*) — Extracts nutrients from the seeds of this widespread plant.
- **Eaten by:** [Northern Mockingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-mockingbird) (*Mimus polyglottos*) — A common bird that preys on various insects.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

These bugs are not harmful, but it's best to look and not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer's wingspan?

25-35 mm

### How big is St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer?

12-17 mm

### How long does St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer live?

30-60 days

### What does St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer eat?

Feeds on the seeds of various plants, primarily cotton and mallow species.

### Where is St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer usually found?

Grasslands

### How does St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [St. Andrew's Cotton Stainer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/st-andrews-cotton-stainer)