Texas issues urgent alert as a newly detected pest spreads across more than 20 counties

HOUSTON — Texas ranchers and hay producers are being urged to take a hard look at their pastures after state officials confirmed a highly destructive new pest has arrived in the Lone Star State.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Wednesday issued an urgent alert about the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei), an invasive species never before reported in North America that is already damaging pasture acreage in multiple Texas counties.

While the species is new to the continent, researchers at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service suspect that the insect may have been introduced before 2022.

New invasive pest threatens Texas pastures

The Texas Department of Agriculture is working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service