Invasive Insects
Invasive insect species can threaten Texas agriculture. They can negatively impact crops, livestock, natural resources and landscapes as well as industries and local economies. Early detection, accurate identification and science-based management are critical to reducing their impact.
Working alongside scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, state and federal agencies, producers and industry partners, our AgriLife Extension agents and specialists provide timely educational resources, management recommendations and updates on emerging invasive species.
New World Screwworm
The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly native to the Western Hemisphere. It lays eggs in the living tissue of fresh wounds in warm-blooded animals. Once hatched, the larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe damage, secondary infections and, if untreated, death. This invasive pest poses a significant threat to livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, people, making early detection and rapid response essential.
- Active Cases: Mitigation efforts are ongoing
- Inactive Cases: Mitigation efforts are completed
This page serves as a central hub for educational materials and the latest research-backed information to help Texans identify, prevent and respond to New World screwworm.
Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University, explains the characteristics and life cycle of the New World screwworm.
Pasture Mealybug
The pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei) is an invasive insect associated with a syndrome termed “pasture dieback,” a condition that kills patches of pasture grasses. This condition is identified by reddening or yellowing leaves, stunted growth and root reduction.
- Texas counties with a current pasture mealybug infestation
The pasture mealybug is a newly recorded insect in the US whose feeding and excretions destroy productive grazing land.
Cotton Jassid
The two-spotted cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula), also known as the cotton jassid, is an invasive pest recently detected in Texas, posing a significant threat to cotton production and other crops like okra, eggplant, sunflower, and hibiscus. It feeds by injecting saliva into plants, causing leaf curling, yellowing, and potential yield losses up to 50% in severe cases.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is monitoring reports of detection across Texas for signs of establishment of the two-spot cotton leafhopper, also known as the cotton jassid.
The two-spotted cotton leafhopper, also known as the cotton jassid, poses a critical economic threat to the Texas Green Industry as well as the cotton industry.
Rice Delphacid
The rice delphacid (Tagosodes orizicolus) is a sucking insect that feeds on various grasses in the Poaceae family, with rice being its primary and most economically significant host. This pest causes leaf damage known as “hopperburn” and excretes sugary “honeydew” that can lead to sooty mold.
- Counties with a rice delphacid concentration of >50 insects
- Counties with a rice delphacid concentration of 10-50 insects
- Counties with a rice delphacid concentration of 1-10 insects
The rice delphacid is a piercing and sucking insect that feeds on rice plant phloem, causing leaf damage known as “hopperburn.”
Texas A&M AgriLife experts are serving as key research and Extension partners in a new multistate response led by USA Rice to address the devastating spread of rice delphacid as it threatens thousands of acres across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Online Resources for Invasive Insects
Report Invasive Insects
Report New World screwworm
To report suspected cases of New World screwworm, contact:
- Your local veterinarian or wildlife biologist
- Texas Animal Health Commission: 1.800.550.8242
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services: 512.383.2400
Report other invasive insects
To report suspected cases of pasture mealybug, rice delphacid or cotton jassid, please contact your local AgriLife Extension county agent.
