The Brief
- The pasture mealybug has spread to 16 counties across the state, including Polk.
- While the insect has targeted sugarcane and pasture grasses so far, experts are monitoring for potential impacts on residential lawns.
- The pasture mealybug can cause yellowing in grasses and can severely damage crops.
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Agricultural experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) held an online workshop Friday about pasture mealybug, a tiny white insect that feasts on grasses.
Tracking the Florida pasture mealybug
What we know:
The bug was first officially reported to state officials at the end of May. But, experts believe it’s possible the bug was here in Florida earlier after some ranchers noticed their pastures looking abnormal last fall.
The tiny white insects eat grasses. Right now, experts say the bug targets sugarcane, weedy roadside grasses and agricultural pasture grasses, including Bahia and Bermuda. …