The Texas Department of Agriculture is urging ranchers, hay producers and landowners across the state to begin watching their pastures for pasture mealybug, an invasive insect that Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has now confirmed in 70 Texas counties. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the warning in a July 17 news release.
The pest matters because it attacks the forage that cattle and other grazing animals depend on. According to the release, Texas AgriLife researchers estimate the mealybug threatens more than 20 million acres of pasture and rangeland, a figure that could climb to nearly 36 million acres if the insect becomes established in the 56 additional counties the agency considers at imminent risk.
“Early detection is our best defense. The sooner we identify new infestations, the better chance we have to slow this pest’s spread and protect the pastures our animals depend on,” Commissioner Miller said in the release. He added that the department is working closely with Texas A&M AgriLife so that ranchers and landowners have current information to recognize infestations early.
Pasture mealybug, known scientifically as Heliococcus summervillei, feeds on forage grasses at the soil’s surface, extracting plant sap and injecting toxins that can cause pasture dieback, the agency said. Experts believe the insect spreads primarily by hitchhiking on contaminated vehicles, farm equipment and clothing, and state officials noted that prevailing winds may also carry immature mealybugs to nearby fields, helping explain the pest’s rapid expansion.
No pesticide has yet proven consistently effective against the insect, according to the department, and federal and state agencies are continuing to collaborate on management options. Commissioner Miller thanked scientists and extension specialists at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research for leading field research and providing producers with guidance. “Protecting Texas pastures is a team effort,” he said. “Their research is giving producers practical information they can use right away to recognize this pest early and reduce its impact.”
The department advised producers to watch for yellow, purple or red foliage, poor root growth or dieback beginning at leaf tips, and fuzzy white insects on grass blades, stems, soil surfaces or beneath plant debris and cow patties. To slow the spread, the agency recommended scouting pastures and hayfields regularly, managing pastures through grazing or hay harvest, and cleaning equipment and vehicles before moving between fields. Suspected infestations can be reported to the department at 1-800-TELL-TDA, and local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices can assist with identification.
“This is one of those challenges where every producer can make a difference,” Commissioner Miller said. “Vigilance and quick reporting give us our best chance to stay ahead of this pest.” A map of affected counties is available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.