Invasive Cotton Jassid Threatens Georgia Cotton Crop

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is urging cotton producers to be on high alert for the invasive Cotton Jassid (Amrasca biguttula). First spotted in Seminole County in July 2025, this pest is now spreading rapidly across Georgia’s cotton belt and poses a major threat to the state’s top row crop. The Cotton Jassid feeds on cotton leaves, disrupting photosynthesis and leading to significant yield loss if not addressed quickly.

Commissioner Harper is asking all growers to check their fields carefully. If you see signs of the pest, report it immediately to your local County Extension office. The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Division is working hand in hand with the University of Georgia Extension Service and the Georgia Cotton Commission to respond. Extension specialists are already conducting on-farm trials, and while management recommendations are still being developed, officials are hopeful that effective strategies will be available soon.

Staying watchful and acting quickly will be key in protecting this year’s crop.

For more details, including what to watch out for as you are scouting in your fields, visit https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/news/jassid-new-cotton-pest/