Pasture Mealybug Confirmed in Florida
A newly detected invasive pest is putting Southeast producers on alert. The Pasture Mealybug has now been detected in Florida, raising concerns for pasture, hay, turfgrass, and sugarcane operations.
According to the Florida Farm Bureau, the insect feeds on plant sap, stressing grasses and causing symptoms that can easily be mistaken for drought or nutrient deficiencies. Those signs include yellowing leaves, red or purple discoloration, stunted growth, poor root development, and dieback. Limpograss has experienced the most severe damage so far, but infestations have also been found in bahiagrass, bermudagrass, crabgrass, and other grasses. Heavy infestations can quickly weaken pastures and allow weeds to move in.
The Pasture Mealybug was first identified on limpograss in South Florida in May of this year, with additional infestations now confirmed across multiple counties as surveys continue to assess its spread. The pest was previously linked to pasture dieback in Australia, first found in the United States in Texas in 2025, and has also been reported in Louisiana.
If you suspect a Pasture Mealybug infestation, report it promptly to your local Extension agent and take precautions to avoid spreading the pest between properties.
