A new invasive insect pest, the Pasture Mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei Brookes), has recently been detected in Florida and is causing concern for pasture, hay, turfgrass, and sugarcane producers. This pest has been associated with “pasture dieback” in Australia and was first detected in the US in Texas in 2025, where it spread rapidly across more than 70 counties. It has since been reported in Louisiana and was first confirmed in Florida in late May 2026 on limpograss in South Florida. As of July 2026, infestations have been confirmed in 16 counties across Central and South Florida, including nearby Polk County. While not yet confirmed in Hillsborough County, surveys are ongoing to determine the full extent of its distribution.
What is the Pasture Mealybug?
Pasture Mealybug is a small sap-feeding insect that specializes only on grasses (family Poaceae). As a grass specialist, it does not damage nor survive on any other type of plant and is not likely to be found on anything other than grass species.

Adult female Pasture Mealybugs are the most noticeable. They are covered in a distinctive white, waxy coating that gives them a fluffy appearance. After mating, females often develop a pink coloration and move away from feeding sites to lay eggs. Adult males are rarely observed and resemble tiny pink flying ants. Young nymphs are much smaller and can be difficult to detect without magnification.

Mealybugs in general are a large group of insects well known as plant pests. Because there are hundreds of species of mealybugs that all look very similar, Pasture Mealybug can only be positively identified through magnified slide mounts in a lab. This is why reporting any suspected cases to is so important.
Unlike many insect pests that remain on foliage, Pasture Mealybugs can be found in several locations including:

·       Undersides of grass leaves

·       Plant crowns and stems

·       Thatch layers

·       Soil surface and belowground

·       Beneath dried cow patties

This behavior makes infestations difficult to detect and challenging to manage.

What damage does it cause?
Pasture Mealybug feeding removes plant sap and suppresses normal plant immune responses. Early symptoms often resemble drought stress or nutrient deficiencies and may include:

·       Yellowing of leaves

·       Red or purple discoloration

·       Stunted growth

·       Poor root development

·       Dead patches and pasture dieback

In heavily infested fields, large areas of pasture can decline rapidly and become invaded by weeds.

In Florida, the most severe damage has been observed on limpograss. It is important to note that Pasture Mealybug can potentially spread through any species of grass, not just those listed above. Infestations have also been documented on Bluestems, Southern sandspur, Stargrass, Asian Crabgrass, Southern Crabgrass, Digitgrass, Crabgrass, Indian Goosegrass, Fingergrass, Maidencane, Cogongrass, Guineagrass, Basketgrass, Bahiagrass, Thin Paspalum, and Sugarcane. Reports from Texas also note it spreading through common turfgrass species like St. Augustine grass.

How does it spread?

Nymphs are responsible for most of the plant damage. Once infected, an entire pasture can die in less than a week. Young nymphs, commonly known as “crawlers,” are the primary dispersers and purposefully seek out healthy plants once its current host begins failing. These crawlers can rapidly spread through:

·       Infested sprigs and planting material

·       Hay and forage movement

·       Contaminated equipment and vehicles

·       Livestock and wildlife movement

·       Wind dispersal of crawler-stage nymphs

·       Clothing and footwear
 

What can producers do now?

At present, early detection remains one of the most important management tools. When scouting fields, focus on areas showing yellowing, reddening, stunting, or drought-like symptoms. Carefully inspect the underside of leaves, plant crowns, thatch, and soil surface for white, waxy insects. Maintaining healthy forage stands may help reduce losses. Practices that can improve plant vigor and reduce favorable habitat include:

·       Proper fertilizer management

• Appropriate grazing pressure
• Timely hay harvests
• Reducing excessive thatch accumulation
• Minimizing drought and nutrient stress

Research from Australia and recent observations in the United States suggest that warm temperatures, high humidity, and adequate rainfall favor population growth. Fields with dense thatch accumulation, unmanaged growth, or other plant stresses may be particularly vulnerable.

Florida provides favorable environmental conditions for this pest throughout much of the state and there is significant concern about continued spread; because of this, producers should also take precautions to limit the movement of the pest between fields. Shared mowing equipment, hay harvesting equipment, and infested planting material are suspected pathways for spread.  Working in clean fields before infested fields, and cleaning equipment before moving between fields is strongly encouraged.

What can HOAs do to help?

Additional measures can be taken by HOAs and non-agricultural homeowners to reduce favorable conditions for Pasture Mealybug. The most important measure is converting turfgrasses to alternative, non-grass lawn plants that cannot support Pasture Mealybug.  Many applicable landscape options like legumes or other broadleaf plants and woody shrubs can provide the curb appeal of traditional turf without the high maintenance and increased pest risk that grasses harbor in wake of this new invader.

All developments & HOA instruments should consider diversifying themselves away from turf grasses (like St. Augustine and Bermudagrass), and towards alternatives to sod (like Perennial Peanut, Sunshine Mimosa, and others) with a focus on native vegetation that support pollinators & wildlife. HOAs need to consider streamlining the documented application processes for residents to convert away from resource intensive turfgrass and towards landscape plants that are less dependent on seasonal fertilizer commitments and are responsive to the ever-increasing frequency of water use restrictions. Contracted landscapers and homeowners should be made aware of this new pest and any lawn care equipment should be inspected and cleaned before traveling to new sites.

What can you do if you suspect infestation?

·       Report suspected infestations ASAP to your local UF/IFAS Extension office.

·       Collect a sample for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Plant Industry.

o   Submit specimens to FDACS Division of Plant Industry.

o   Include information on location, host plant, and symptoms observed.

o   Additional submission instructions can be found at:
https://www.fdacs.gov/DPIsamples

·       Where Pasture Mealybug is present, reduce excessive forage growth by harvesting hay or haylage.

·       Using annual forage or grain crops as a “break crop” to disrupt the lifecycle.

·       In fields with heavy infestations, it may help to leave the area fallow or plant a temporary alternative of clover or pearl millet.

·       "Crash grazing" or taking an early hay cutting can thin out dense grass growth.

·       Consider adding legumes and more tolerant grass species to pastures.

·       Use caution when moving between affected areas. Mealybugs easily spread by clothing, animals and equipment.

Insecticide Now Approved for Pasture Mealybug Control in Grasses

USDA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has authorized FIFRA Section 24(c) Special Local Need Label for Altus® (active ingredient: flupyradifurone) for use on grass and rangeland to control the Pasture Mealybug.

EPA Reg. 101563 – 186

SLN No. SLNFL260005 

This 24(c) Special Local Need label became effective on July 9, 2026. The label is valid until amended, withdrawn, cancelled, or suspended.

The current approved label can be found here, with the Pasture Mealybug update to the label found here.

Always follow the listed information on pesticide labels.

Remember: The Label is the Law!