13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Cotton stainers family

The photo is showing cotton stainers (Dysdercus andreae) on a Thespesia grandiflora seed. This insects are known as St. Andrew's cotton stainers because the white X in the wings recalls the cross used during the martyrdom of St. Andrew. Here in Puerto Rico there're two host plants for this insects wich are Thespesia populnea and Thespesia grandiflora.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2015
Date Uploaded: 10.2015
Photo Location: Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Camera: NIKON D3000
Copyright: © Jeremy Casado