Dysdercus cingulatus is a species of true bug in the family Pyrrhocoridae, commonly known as the red cotton stainer.

[3] As well as cotton (Gossypium), D. cingulatus feeds on a number of other crop plants including okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), muskmallow (Abelmoschus moschatus), hibiscus, white jute (Corchorus capsularis), citrus and maize (Zea mays).

As this develops, the insect thrusts its rostrum between the carpels and sucks fluids from the still soft seeds inside.

Micro-organisms are admitted in the process and may make the boll contents rot or the lint become discoloured.

[4] Adult females lay several batches, each of sixty to ninety eggs, in chambers they dig in the soil.