Texas livestock threatened by invasive pasture mealybug and New World screwworm

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension experts report that the pasture mealybug, first confirmed in the state in 2025, has spread to 70 counties and is rapidly expanding into additional areas. The insect damages a wide range of warm‑season grasses used for cattle forage, causing pasture die‑back and offering no effective pesticide control; experts are pursuing emergency exemptions and recommend early detection, reduced canopy density, and limiting insect movement on equipment. "It seems like we add new counties every week, sometimes every day," said entomologist David Kerns.

At the same time, the New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas, with 26 cases detected this month after thousands of cases in neighboring Mexico. The parasitic fly poses a serious risk to the state's $41 billion cattle industry and could trigger a multibillion‑dollar crisis if not contained. Federal and state agencies are coordinating containment efforts, and despite misinformation, officials stress that meat supplies remain safe because slaughtered animals are inspected. The outbreak continues to expand despite ongoing containment measures.

Both pest incursions highlight growing challenges for Texas livestock producers, who face significant economic threats from invasive insects and limited management options.