Heat Intensifies Pasture Mealybug Damage on Texas Grass

Texas cattle producers should weigh heat-driven pest pressure when managing pasture health this season.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Agriculture

Close view of pasture grass blades with a small mealybug on a leaf edge, open rangeland fading into warm haze under low afternoon sun. — Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists found high temperatures increase how often pasture mealybugs salivate into grass phloem, as the pest has spread to 114 Texas counties. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you think pests damaging pastures in your area are getting worse?

Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists reported early findings that high temperatures change how pasture mealybugs feed on plants, increasing how often the insects salivate into the phloem. The pest, first confirmed in Texas in July 2025, has now spread to 114 Texas counties and has also been reported in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, putting pasture-dependent cattle operations in those states on alert.

Why it matters

Pasture mealybugs damage grass by injecting toxins through their saliva, so a change in feeding behavior under heat directly affects how much forage stress producers can expect. Because the insect's population growth has been linked to canopy density, heat, humidity and rainfall, weather conditions now factor into pest pressure on pastures.

The pasture mealybug has spread to 114 Texas counties since its first confirmation in July 2025, and it has also been reported in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The Texas cattle industry that depends on these pastures is valued at $15.5 billion.

The players

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

The research arm of Texas A&M University's agricultural extension system, which conducts applied agricultural studies used by producers statewide.

Emerging Pest Task Force

A Texas A&M AgriLife body formed to respond to agricultural and natural resource pest threats, which recently testified before the Texas Legislature.

Texas Legislature

The state lawmaking body in Austin that oversees agricultural policy and pest-response funding affecting Texas producers.

The details

Researchers attach a sensor to both the insect and the plant to record feeding activity as a waveform, allowing them to observe how mealybugs pierce plants and draw out fluids, typically phloem sap, though they can also tap xylem. Immature mealybugs feed on plant sap and inject toxins through their saliva that weaken grass. Under higher temperatures, the insects salivated more often in the phloem, and they may drink more xylem to stay hydrated.

July 2025: Pasture mealybug first confirmed in Texas.
November 3, 2026: Texas A&M AgriLife publishes early heat-feeding findings.

Market Landscape

Texas A&M AgriLife's Emerging Pest Task Force recently testified before the Texas Legislature on New World screwworm and pasture mealybug, placing the pest among active state-level agricultural threats. Forecasting tools that combine feeding behavior, plant stress and weather are the kind of research that could inform pesticide timing for growers.

Cattle producers with pastures in affected counties should factor pest pressure into forage management and monitor weather conditions that favor mealybug growth. Growers may also want to watch for forecasting tools that could help time pesticide applications, and should consult qualified agronomists before changing treatment schedules.

The takeaway

Track county-level pasture mealybug reports and weather forecasts, since heat and humidity appear to intensify feeding damage. Producers can ask their local extension office about pest-timing resources as Texas A&M's additional seed-grant research moves forward.