A grass-killing insect small enough to be mistaken for mold has now been found in 114 Texas counties, stretching from the Rio Grande Valley to the Oklahoma border, Texas Standard reported Monday.
The pasture mealybug first turned up in South Texas in 2022, according to the report. It has since been found in Louisiana, Georgia and Florida as well. The bugs inject a toxin into grass and feed on its sap, turning blades yellow, then red or purple, before the plants die. In heavy infestations the grass does not come back.
David Kerns, associate head of the entomology department at Texas A&M University, told the Texas House Agriculture and Livestock Committee this month that the pest could cost the state's farmers and ranchers $2 billion a year, the report said. Kerns said researchers still know little about the insect, which favors hot, humid weather and thick, tall grass.
Some overwinter in the soil, and producers report populations jumping after heavy rains. It likely spreads on equipment, on animals and by wind.
A treatment, at a price
After dozens of trials by Kerns and his colleagues, an insecticide called Centric 40WG performed best, and the Environmental Protection Agency granted emergency approval in August for its use against pasture mealybug. Kerns said it works but runs about $15 an acre, more than some producers want to spend, and some retailers have sold out.
