EPA Approves $15-per-Acre Pesticide for Texas Mealybugs
Texas ranchers face new treatment costs as invasive mealybugs spread across 114 counties.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Agriculture
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The EPA granted emergency approval for the pesticide Centric 40WG to combat pasture mealybug infestations that have spread to 114 Texas counties. Texas ranchers face potential annual losses of $2 billion as the pest continues to damage forage crops.
Why it matters
The rapid expansion of this invasive pest creates a new, significant operating expense for Texas forage businesses. Ranchers must now navigate costly treatment protocols to protect their grass from permanent damage.
Treatment with Centric 40WG costs approximately $15 per acre, which can result in expenses between $7,000 and $8,000 for individual pasture applications. The infestation now spans 114 Texas counties, threatening a sector facing $2 billion in projected annual damages.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency
The federal regulatory body responsible for overseeing pesticide safety standards and emergency use authorizations for agriculture.
Texas House Agriculture Committee
The legislative body overseeing the regulatory and economic interests of the state's agriculture industry.
The details
Pasture mealybugs extract plant sap and inject toxins, causing grass to discolor and die. The insects disperse through wind, farm equipment, and animal movement, thriving in hot, humid conditions. Operators may use chemigation to apply the EPA-authorized insecticide directly to the soil, though managing the infestation across large acreage remains a significant operational hurdle.
Timeline
2022: Pasture mealybugs first appeared in South Texas.
July 2026: A specialist observed heavy infestation levels in a mower.
August 2026: The EPA granted emergency approval for Centric 40WG usage.
October 2026: An entomologist testified to the Texas House Agriculture Committee regarding the spread.
Market Landscape
The authorization of Centric 40WG follows the standard regulatory pathway for rapid-response pesticide use under Section 18 emergency exemptions. This intervention serves as the primary federal mechanism for managing invasive pests that threaten large-scale agricultural output.
Ranchers should evaluate their forage health and calculate the potential ROI of a $15-per-acre treatment plan against current stock density. Consulting with a local extension agent regarding specific application timing is advised to maximize the efficacy of the emergency-approved chemical.
The takeaway
Operators must proactively monitor for mealybugs, which are often transported by shared farm equipment between fields. Managers should track regional infestation reports and coordinate with peers to limit the spread of the pest through equipment sanitation protocols.
Further reading
For more on managing invasive pests and regional industry trends, visit the Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KUT.
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