By Texas Department Of Agriculture on Monday, July 20, 2026 Infestations now confirmed in 70 counties, with another 56 counties at imminent risk Pasture Mealybug Spreads Across Texas Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture today urged ranchers, hay producers, and landowners to watch for signs of pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei), now confirmed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in 70 Texas counties."Early detection is our best defense. The sooner we identify new infestations, the better chance we have to slow this pest's spread and protect the pastures our animals depend on," Commissioner Miller said.

"We're working closely with Texas A&M AgriLife to make sure ranchers and landowners have the latest information to recognize infestations early."Pasture mealybug attacks the forage that cattle and other grazing animals depend on.

Feeding on forage grasses at the soil's surface, the insect extracts plant sap and injects toxins that can cause pasture dieback.