Texas warns of invasive pasture mealybug
The Texas Department of Agriculture issued an urgent alert this week confirming the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei), never before reported in North America, is spreading across more than 20 Texas counties and damaging grazing lands and hay crops. Commissioner Sid Miller said the pest threatens livestock operations as TDA works with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and USDA APHIS to map the spread and determine an emergency response; no insecticides are currently labeled for its control in the U.S.
📌 Key Facts
- State alert confirms invasive pasture mealybug in 20+ counties including Victoria, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Matagorda, Hidalgo and others
- TDA coordinating with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and USDA APHIS on surveillance and response
- Susceptible grasses include Bermudagrass, Bahia, Johnsongrass, sorghum–sudangrass haygrazer, St. Augustine and bluestem varieties
- Damage signs: yellowing within a week, leaf purpling, stunting, weakened roots, and patchy dieback; insects appear as small white fuzzy clusters
- No insecticides are currently labeled in the U.S.; suspected presence predates 2022
- Public contact line: 1-800-TELL-TDA for suspected cases
📊 Relevant Data
Beef cattle production in Texas is a $9 billion industry, representing 50% of the value of all agricultural commodities.
Texas' beef cattle short course, considered largest in the nation, provides education to thousands — landgrantimpacts.org
In Australia, pasture dieback associated with mealybugs has impacted approximately 400,000 hectares as of 2020.
Pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei) host range, feeding preference, and impact on tropical grass pastures — eprints.qut.edu.au
Experts suspect the pasture mealybug has spread via contaminated haying equipment and possibly hay bales.
AgriLife Extension publishes fact sheet on invasive pasture mealybug — beefmagazine.com
Hot, wet and humid conditions favourable for high pasture growth also favour rapid mealybug population increase.
Pasture mealybug and its role in pasture dieback — dpi.nsw.gov.au
Texas ranked fourth in production agriculture among all states in cash receipts in 2023, behind California, Iowa, and Nebraska.
The Food and Fiber System and Production Agriculture's Contributions to the Texas Economy — agrilifeextension.tamu.edu