TIFTON, Ga. (Farm Monitor) — The pasture mealybug is raising concerns for Georgia’s forage industry as it spreads across the Southeast.
University of Georgia State Forage Extension Specialist Lisa Baxter says the pest has so far been limited to a handful of Georgia counties, but it presents a different challenge from those producers may be used to seeing.
Unlike fall armyworms, pasture mealybugs slowly drain nutrients from grass, leaving plants more vulnerable to disease. Controlling the pest can also be difficult because standard insecticides are ineffective and treatment options remain limited.
With few options available once the pest appears, Baxter says early detection is key. She encourages producers who notice unusual damage to contact their local Extension agent.
