With New World Screwworm on the prowl, farmers and ranchers have a new pest to be on the lookout for. Pasture mealybug, the newest invasive pest impacting pastures, hay, turfgrass, and sugarcane producers, is a small, sap-feeding insect with a white, waxy coating that makes them appear fluffy. This pest was detected in late May 2026 on limpograss in South Florida. This information comes from the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center. To learn more see this article from Isaac L. Esquivel: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nfrec/2026/06/18/pasture-mealybug-detected-in-florida-pastures/
