The Pasture Mealybug: A New Invasive Pest of Pastures and Hayfields in Texas

The pasture mealybug is a new introduced pest into the United States and it affected summer pastures and hayfields in southeastern Texas in 2025. It was found in Louisiana sugarcane fields in Vermilion and Iberia parishes in the fall of 2025.

This pest is being closely monitored by federal, state, and LSU AgCenter scientists for possible invasion into summer pastures and hayfields in Louisiana in 2026. Producers need to be aware of this pest and be alert for further notices as the summer forages begin to green up.

The following document from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has more information on how to identify and manage pasture mealybugs.

Pasture mealybug article.pdf

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