Texas EPA Approves Pesticide to Combat Pasture Mealybugs
The federal agency issued emergency approval for Centric 40WG to treat infestations spreading across 114 Texas counties.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Agriculture
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The EPA granted emergency approval in August 2026 for the use of the pesticide Centric 40WG to control pasture mealybug infestations. These insects have now spread throughout 114 Texas counties since their first appearance in 2022.
Why it matters
Infestations could potentially cost the Texas agricultural industry $2 billion per year due to significant forage destruction. Researchers are currently working to determine if certain grass varieties possess natural resistance to the pests.
The pesticide treatment costs approximately $15 per acre, which can lead to expenses between $7,000 and $8,000 for individual pasture treatments. Infestations are now documented across 114 Texas counties.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency
The federal agency is responsible for regulating pesticides and granting emergency use authorizations for chemical products like Centric 40WG.
Texas House Agriculture Committee
This legislative body oversees the development and implementation of agricultural policies and receives testimony regarding critical threats to the state's farming economy.
The details
Pasture mealybugs damage grass by injecting toxins and extracting plant sap, often causing the vegetation to turn yellow, red, or purple before it dies. The insects spread through wind dispersal and by hitching rides on animals and farm equipment in hot, humid conditions.
Timeline
Pasture mealybugs were first identified in South Texas in 2022.
A heavy infestation was observed in a mower in July 2026.
The EPA granted emergency approval for Centric 40WG in August 2026.
An entomologist testified before the Texas House Agriculture Committee in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The emergency approval of Centric 40WG follows the established regulatory pattern set by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act emergency exemption process. This federal intervention highlights a shift in managing invasive species that threaten the stability of the state's large-scale forage business sector.
Texas ranchers and farmers face significant operational costs to protect their forage, with individual pasture treatments reaching as high as $8,000. These financial pressures directly affect local forage businesses and the long-term sustainability of affected grazing lands.
The takeaway
Landowners should monitor their pastures closely for discoloration in grass, which serves as an early indicator of mealybug presence. Implementing preventative measures on equipment can help reduce the inadvertent spread of these pests between fields.
Further reading
Learn more about local pest management challenges on our Texas Agriculture page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KUT.
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