GFB News Magazine

Pasture Mealybug invades Georgia

by Jennifer Whittaker

Posted on October 13, 2026 10:53 PM

Pasture mealybugs (PMB) have been found at a Decatur County turfgrass farm, the USDA confirmed Aug. 5. The pest (Heliococcus summervillei) was first officially declared to be in the U.S. in Texas last October. As of Sept. 18, PMB was observed in Seminole County by UGA Extension specialists.

“This pest can spread quickly and kill grass. I encourage everyone to walk their pastures and hayfields often to check for the pest. If you suspect you have the pasture mealybug, please contact your local county Extension agent immediately,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said.

PMB was first reported in Texas pastures in July 2025, and as of Aug. 26, was in 95 Texas counties, according to Texas A&M. It was detected in Louisiana sugarcane fields last fall and as of Sept. 18, had been detected in 14 of the state’s parishes.

It was first detected in Florida's St. Lucie County in May 2026, where it infested fields of limpograss, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. As of Sept. 18, PMB is confirmed to be in 25 Florida counties including Florida's Jackson County, which borders Georgia's Seminole County.

PMBs damage grass by feeding on plant sap and injecting toxic saliva into the plant. Symptoms can appear within a week of infestation and may include yellowing leaves that progress to purple or red discoloration; stunted growth and drought-like stress even after rainfall; poorly developed roots; dieback beginning at the tips of older leaves; and premature senescence and plant death.

PMB can be spread by farm equipment, clothing, and vehicles, so preventing its movement between fields and farms is critical. Farmers are encouraged to clean hay equipment between fields or farms.

There are currently no reliable insecticides for complete control. Sefina has an emergency-use label in Georgia for suppression, but UGA Forage Specialist Dr. Lisa Baxter said results have been mixed, and the cost may outweigh the benefit for many forage producers.

Visit www.gfb.ag/ugapmbresources for the latest updates on where PMB has been detected in Georgia and to learn more about the pest.

If you see pasture mealybug on your farm, please contact your county Extension agent. /Photo by Nicole Quinn, courtesy of Bugwood.org