Newly Identified Invasive Pest Threatens South Texas Pastures
Ranchers and hay producers in more than 20 counties have reported a new pest damaging their grass. The pasture mealybug, an invasive insect from Australia, has been found in fields from the Rio Grande Valley to east of Houston. Farmers and entomologists are searching for methods to control the bug.
Stephen Biles, an integrated pest management specialist in Port Lavaca with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, discussed the pest with Texas Standard.
Interview Transcript
Texas Standard: How did this get on your radar?
Stephen Biles: About the middle of July, we received a call from a local cattleman in Victoria County about a problem in his pastures. We visited the site and that's when we first saw the insects.
Texas Standard: How long did it take to identify them?
Stephen Biles: We sent samples to USDA, and they confirmed the species on September 10th or 11th. It takes time to get an identification because there are not many specialists in mealybugs.
Texas Standard: How did they get here?
Stephen Biles: We don't know for sure. They could have arrived via plant material from the Caribbean or elsewhere.
Texas Standard: What do they do?
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