High temperatures change how pasture mealybugs feed, according to early lab findings from Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists. The researchers said this could help explain why some infestations cause much more damage than others. The study is led by doctoral student Ashley Zavala in the lab of Thomas Chappell, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in the Texas A&M Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. It looks at feeding behavior under a range of environmental conditions.
The pest was first confirmed in Texas in July 2025 and has since spread to 114 counties, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologists. It has also been reported in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. Scientists are concerned it could affect other crops, including sugarcane and rice.
Immature mealybugs feed on plant sap and inject toxins that weaken grass, often leading to a condition called pasture dieback. In severe cases, fields can turn brown, thin out or die. The pest affects native and improved warm-season grasses, including Bermuda, Bahia, and bluestem grasses. The researchers said their findings could eventually help ranchers manage the pest more precisely.