AUSTIN - Texas Agricul ture Commissioner Sid Miller today issued an urgent alert to producers across the state to inspect their pastures for a newly detected and highly damaging pest: the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus sum - mervillei). This invasive spe - cies, previously unreported in North America, has been confirmed in multiple Texas counties and is already caus - ing significant damage to pas ture acreage across the Lone Star State.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is work - ing closely with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to coordinate a rap id response and protect Texas producers.
The pasture mealybug is a serious pest of forage grasses that causes "pasture dieback," leaving expanding patches of yellowing, weakened, and ultimately dead turf. First de scribed in Australia in 1928, it has devastated millions of acres of grazing land there and has since spread globally, causing severe financial im - pacts. Its rapid reproduction, hidden soil-level feeding, and broad host range make it a significant threat to pasture health and livestock opera tions. "This is a completely new pest to our continent, and Texas is once again on the front lines," Commissioner Miller said. "If the pasture mealybug spreads across Texas grazing lands like it has in eastern Australia, it could cost Texas agriculture dearly in lost pro - ductivity and reduced live - stock capacity. TDA is work ing hand-in-hand with federal and university partners to re - spond swiftly and protect our producers from this unprece- dented threat."
The estimated impact area currently covers 20 counties, including Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, Dewitt, Lava - ca, Fayette, Jackson, Matago - rda, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and Robertson. AgriLife entomologists have submitted a formal Pest Incident Work - sheet documenting significant damage to pastures and hay -
fields in Victoria County.
Research trials are under- way to determine the best integrated pest management options. Currently, there is no known effective labeled insec -
ticide for pasture mealybug.
Affected plants include: Bermudagrass, Ba- hia grass, Johnsongrass, hay grazer (sorghumsudangrass), St. Augustine grass, various bluestem species, and other tropical or subtropical grasses.
Damage can occur in leaves, stems, and roots.
Symptoms:
- Yellowing and discolor- ation of leaves within a week of infestation - Purpling or reddening of foliage - Stunted growth and drought stress despite rainfall - Poorly developed root sys tems - Dieback starting at leaf tips and progressing downward - Premature aging, mak- ing plants more vulnerable to pathogens
Inspection tips: - Scout regularly for mealy - bugs on grass leaves, stems, soil surface, leaf litter, and under cow patties - Focus on unmanaged areas such as fence lines, ungrazed patches, and roadsides - Look for fluffy, white, waxy, or "fuzzy" insects on
blades and stems
- If plants appear un - healthy and insects match this description, investigate further "Early identification is criti - cal, and we need every produc - er's eyes on the ground," Com missioner Miller added. “We are working diligently with our federal and state partners to determine how to best com- bat this novel threat and stop it in its tracks." If you observe suspicious symptoms or insects matching the descriptions above, contact TDA at 1-(800)-TELL-TDA immediately.
