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FORT MYERS, Florida (WBBH) — The invasive pasture mealybug, a tiny pest from Asia and Australia, is spreading across Florida, damaging agricultural land, pastures, and residential lawns.
Dr. Isaac L. Esquivel, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida, said, “Mealybugs — they are very tiny, and you will really have to get up close to see those things.”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reports that the pest is affecting pastures, hayfields, turfgrass, and sugarcane across 16 counties, including all in our Gulf Coast area, posing a threat to livestock food sources.
“Cows eat grass. So we’re going to have a little limitation potentially on that side if it does become a severe problem,” Esquivel said.
Experts from the University of Florida explained that the non-native bug was first detected in the U.S. in the fall of 2025 and likely entered through imported goods.
“We have a lot of ports in the states; it could have come in on potentially something imported,” Esquivel said.
Dr. Esquivel said the mealybug, which has a wax-like substance on its back, causes grass to yellow before turning brown, red, or purple, eventually dying within 7 to 28 days.
“There are potential insecticides that we can use on whether it’s pasture, sugarcane, that do have some efficacy for it,” Esquivel said.
Experts urge residents to report suspected infestations, especially if grass or fields show brown spots or other signs of damage.
How to report a suspected infestation
If you think you’ve found pasture mealybugs, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) urges property owners, ranchers and growers to report it as soon as possible. Suspected infestations in pasture grass, turf or sugarcane can be reported by submitting a sample to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry (DPI) Entomology Section for identification or by contacting the DPI Helpline at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov.
You can also find identification resources and reporting information on the FDACS Pasture Mealybug webpage. UF/IFAS also encourages producers to report suspected infestations through its Pasture Mealybug reporting form to help researchers track the pest’s spread.
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