RED COTTON BUG IN COTTON

Telugu name: Erra gummadi purugu

Scientific name: Dysdercus cingulatusi

Identification of the pest:

Nymphs and Adults - Reddish bugs with white bands on the abdomen and black markings on the wings.

Lifecycle:

The eggs are laid under the soil in cracks and are covered with loose earth or with small dry leaves. Eggs are round and light yellowish. Each female is capable of laying between 100-130 eggs. Egg period lasts 7-8 days. Nymphs after hatching are wingless with their abdomen red with central row of black spots and row of white spots on either side. Nymphal period lasts for 5-7 days. Nymphs pass through five moults with wings developing from the third instar and attaining full form after the fifth. The development is completed in 50-90 days. Males are smaller than the females and the swollen abdomen can differentiate females from males.

Symptoms:

• Red stained lint and rotting bolls.
• Inner boll wall with warty growth or water soaked spots.
• Young bolls abort and turn dark brown.
• The bacterium Nematosporagossypii enters the site of injury and stains the fibre.

Favourable Conditions:

• Red cotton bugs thrive in hot and dry climates.
• Cotton plants or nearby malvaceous weeds provide a suitable habitat.
• During harvest or seed formation stages, the bug population increases.

Economic Threshold Level (ETL):

 5-10 bugs per plant. If this number is observed, action is required to control the pest.

Management of Red Cotton Bug:

Cultural Control:

• Harvest cotton bolls as soon as they mature to avoid pest buildup.
• Remove and destroy plant debris and cotton stubbles after harvest.
• Remove weeds which act as alternate hosts.
• Follow crop rotation with non-host crops.

Biological Control:

Encourage natural predators:

Spiders, predatory bugs, and birds feed on red cotton bugs.

Use parasitoids:

Release egg parasitoids like Trichogramma to reduce the pest population.

Chemical Control:

• Spray Insecticides only if the pest exceeds ETL.
• Use any Insecticides like Malathion 50 EC 2 ml per litre of water,Chlorpyriphos 20 EC: 2 ml per litre of water.
• For effective control of cotton bugs use Biopesticide “Dr.ELIMINATOR”@250 ml /acre.
• Ensure thorough coverage of the plants, focusing on the underside of leaves and bolls.
• Use protective clothing during spraying.
• Follow a waiting period before harvesting to avoid pesticide residue on cotton.
• By combining these practices, farmers can effectively manage red cotton bugs and minimize crop loss.

FAQs:

1. How do I identify red cotton bugs?
Look for small red-and-black insects, often near cotton bolls. They suck sap and stain the cotton. Check for shriveled bolls or lint discoloration as key signs.

2. Are red cotton bugs harmful to cotton crops?
Yes! They reduce cotton quality by staining fibers and lowering the market value. Early detection and management are crucial to minimize losses.

 3. What’s the best way to control red cotton bugs?
Use a mix of cultural methods like removing plant debris, using natural predators, and insecticides if needed. Regular field inspections help prevent outbreaks.

4. Can I manage red cotton bugs organically?
Yes! Encourage beneficial insects, use neem oil sprays, and maintain crop hygiene. Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides that harm natural predators.

5. How can I prevent red cotton bug infestations next season?
Rotate crops, destroy leftover cotton plants after harvest, and keep fields clean. Planting bug-resistant varieties can also help.