Invasive Species and Biosecurity

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.