Agriculture officials in Texas confirmed the first North American detection of the pasture mealybug, an invasive pest now infesting pastures across several counties in the state, including parts of the greater Houston area. The species, which has devastated grazing lands in other countries, has already caused visible damage by weakening and killing grass, prompting alerts from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Officials said the pest poses a serious risk to forage resources that livestock producers depend on, especially as ranchers prepare for winter grazing. State agriculture leaders are coordinating with federal partners and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to map the infestation and consider control measures. Landowners are being urged to inspect fields closely and report sightings to authorities to help contain the spread. The discovery highlights ongoing challenges from non-native species affecting U.S. agriculture and rangelands.
Welcome
