Researchers Secure Funds to Study Sugarcane Pests

University of Florida and LSU experts will study the pasture mealybug's impact on domestic sugarcane crops.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Botany

Isometric editorial illustration of a single sugarcane stalk and an iron stake in a field, representing agricultural research. — Researchers from the University of Florida and Louisiana State University have received $200,000 in federal funding to mitigate sugarcane damage from pasture mealybugs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of Florida researchers have secured $200,000 in federal funding to investigate how the pasture mealybug affects sugarcane production. The two-year project involves a partnership with Louisiana State University to mitigate potential crop loss.

Why it matters

Unmanaged pasture mealybug populations pose a severe threat to the industry, with the potential to destroy entire sugarcane fields if left unchecked. This research aims to provide growers with science-based management recommendations.

The two-year study focuses on the relationship between mealybug infestations, leaf yellowing, and final sugarcane yields. Researchers are investigating how these pests affect the only two states in the U.S. that produce sugarcane, Florida and Louisiana.

The players

University of Florida

This public research university operates the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which is leading the investigation into sugarcane pests.

Louisiana State University

This institution is collaborating with Florida researchers to address challenges facing the sugarcane industry across both major producing states.

The details

The team from the Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade will work alongside LSU counterparts to track the pests as they feed on sugarcane and other grasses. Project results will be distributed to growers via workshops and newsletters.

October 2026: Researchers secured the two-year federal grant for the study.

The Big Picture

This study follows a pattern set by the UF/IFAS Extension by translating academic findings into practical guidance for local sugarcane growers. It bridges the gap between entomological field research and the immediate economic needs of the domestic sugar industry.

This research could lead to more effective pest management practices that stabilize sugarcane supply and pricing for consumers. Growers can expect new, evidence-based recommendations to arrive through industry meetings and extension programs once the study concludes.

The takeaway

Farmers and industry stakeholders should watch for upcoming UF/IFAS workshops to implement new pest control strategies. Monitoring for leaf yellowing in sugarcane fields remains the best immediate method for early detection of mealybug presence.