Warning Issued to All Texas Farmers: Beware the Pasture Mealybug

In a recent message from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, he warns all farmers and producers about the dangers of pasture mealybugs. These highly damaging pests have already been confirmed throughout Texas and have caused significant pasture damage statewide.

What Are Pasture Mealybugs?

Pasture mealybugs, who are not native to North America, have lifespans of roughly 45 to 47 days. Males typically live shorter lives, up to 33 days on average, according to Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension program.

Female mealybugs are easy to spot given their hair that grows the length of their entire bodies and shoots off in all different directions.

Although they only grow to less than 1 mm in length, mealybug nymphs are the most damaging stage of their life cycle. Constantly on the move to wherever food can be found, mealybugs are mostly found at the soil's surface or under dried cow patties.

Mealybug Damage to Crops in Texas

The reason why Commissioner Miller is warning all producers of these tiny terrors is due to their damage potential on crops. There's even a special type of disease that crops can get following a rise in pasture mealybug infestations.

It's called "pasture dieback" and leaves grass patches with a signature read streak along the blades. Dieback ultimately kills the plants it infects, and has cost farmers and producers millions of acres since their first appearance.

Recommendations for Combatting Mealybugs

Commissioner Miller urges all Texas producers to scout regularly for any mealybug presence in their crops. He says to focus on areas that are less managed, such as along fence lines and roadsides.

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You should be keeping an eye out for the white fuzzy patches on grass blades and stems. Remember, they are very small—we're talking just a couple of millimeters—so make sure you look closely.

If you do spot any suspicious symptoms on your grass that you feel matches the description of a pasture mealybug infestation, you are always welcome to call the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA.