Georgia is home to several species of animal, but some like the Argentine tegu and Asian hornets, are invaders we need to fight. Now, there's a new animal opponent.
Last week, Georgia Agricultureannounced its first detection of pasture mealybug, also known as Heliococcus summervillei. How big of a problem is this? Here's what we know:
Where do pasture mealybugs live?
The bug was confirmed in Decatur County near Tallahassee in the southwest corner of Georgia, not to be confused with Decatur in the Atlanta area. It has also been confirmed in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.
Pasture mealybugs are native to South and Southeast Asia, but invaded and became a serious problem in Australia in 1928, according to the University of Georgia. It spread to the Caribbean around 2019 and was first
confirmed in the U.S. in October.
They are often found at the base of plants, around roots, below the soil surface, or under dried cow patties.
What do pasture mealybugs look like?
Adult pasture mealybugs are similar in size and shape to ticks, except they are covered in a white, waxy coating. Older ones have fine hairs, making them look fuzzy. UGA Associate Professor and State Forage Specialist Lisa Baxter said, if you were to walk through an infected field, you'd probably see little white dots on your shoes.
Is pasture mealybug dangerous?
Orkin says mealybugs do not bite or spread disease to humans. The issues it causes are agricultural. They feed on annual and perennial warm-season grasses, during which they also inject the plant with toxic saliva. This can damage the whole crop, causing discolored leaves, stunted growth, poorly developed roots, and eventually death.
The other problem is how quickly they spread. The bugs reproduce "explosively" as UGA Entomology Professor Shimat Joseph put it. They also stick to everything and can spread on equipment, clothing, vehicles, and other materials.
How to get rid of pasture mealybug
Like most bugs, you can squish individual pasture mealybugs. But obviously that won't stop the larger infestation. Georgia Agriculture says there are currently no labeled insecticides that provide reliable, complete control of the bug. Here are some tips for preventing their invasion and spread:
- Clean farm and hay equipment between fields or farms, as appropriate for your operation.
- Avoid driving through pastures whenever possible.
- Change clothing and footwear between fields or farms.
- Keep grazing records and avoid moving livestock into or through affected pastures.
- Limit wildlife movement through pastures when possible.
- Limit vehicle traffic on and off the farm.
Bulk cleaning supplies are at Sam's Club
If you see one, contact your local UGA Extension Office and/or complete the Suspected Cases of Pasture Mealybug (PMB) Survey.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper called the pasture mealybug a serious threat, encouraging everyone to walk their pastures and hayfields often to ensure they don't have any.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Invasive bug confirmed in Georgia for the 1st time. What happens next?
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