Urgent Alert: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Warns of Pasture Mealybug Threat to Texas Farmers
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has issued an urgent alert to farmers in Texas to inspect their pastures for a newly detected and highly damaging pest known as the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei). This invasive species, previously unseen in North America, has been causing significant damage to pasture acreage in multiple Texas counties, particularly in the southeast region of the state. The pasture mealybug leads to "pasture dieback," resulting in yellowing, weakened, and dead turf. The TDA, in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and USDA's APHIS, is working on a rapid response to protect Texas producers from this unprecedented threat.
The pasture mealybug, a pest that has devastated grazing land in Australia and beyond, poses a significant threat to pasture health and livestock operations in Texas. Adult females of the mealybug are covered in a white, waxy coating and can produce nearly 100 offspring within 24 hours, leading to multiple generations per season. The youngest nymphs of the mealybug feed on plant sap and inject toxic saliva, causing grass to yellow, weaken, and ultimately die. The spread of this pest across Texas grazing lands could result in lost productivity and reduced livestock capacity, prompting swift action from TDA and its partners to address the issue.
The impact of the pasture mealybug has been observed in 20 counties in Texas, primarily in the Houston area, including Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, Dewitt, Lavaca, Fayette, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and Robertson. AgriLife entomologists have documented significant damage to pastures and hayfields in Victoria County, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of this invasive pest on Texas agriculture.