Pasture Mealybug Update - 5/8/26


We are finding pasture mealybug in most of the pastures that had them last year, and in many others as well. I suggest you check your hay and grazed pastures for the mealybug.  So far this spring, they have been found as far West as Medina, Frio and Gillespie Counties.

We went scouting around Victoria and Goliad counties Wednesday, looking at fields where we found them last fall and found some difficult conditions.  Between the mealybug damage from last year and the lack of rainfall over the winter and this spring, many of these fields have poor grass stands and considerable weed problems developing. Pastures should be inspected for weeds and treated as appropriate.

In addition, the fields where we did find pasture mealybugs also have symptoms of damage including the red/purple leaves.  When scouting fields, I am checking plants with the symptoms first.

I was hoping to spray a test in one of the fields we checked this week, but the grass stands were not consistent and too variable to conduct a good research trial.  I am currently looking for a pasture that is primarily one grass species and also has mealybugs. 

Contact me at 361-920-1138 and I can set up a visit with the intention of spraying an insecticide control trial.

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