Authored by:
Marcelo Wallau, UF/IFAS Forage Extension Specialist
Niguss Hailegnaw, UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Crop Nutrient Management at the Everglades Research and Education Center
Pasture mealybug (PMB) is expanding across Florida, with 22 counties confirmed. This pest is causing significant damage to sugarcane and pastures in South Florida, with the potential to spread to many other grass species in both cultivated and natural areas.
Our producers have noticed that certain pastures that potentially have higher nutritional levels seem to have lower infestation and less damage. Taking that lead, we are curious to see whether soil and plant nutrition affect the level of infestation and damage caused by pasture mealybugs in pastures and sugarcane fields.
For that, we launched a sampling campaign to collect soil and plant tissue samples, along with a short questionnaire, from PMB-infested areas and from neighboring areas with lower damage and infestation. This will help identify conditions that could make fields more tolerant of PMB and help us design management practices to protect our crops.
We need your help to identify factors associated with pasture mealybug infestation!
If you have pastures or have access to roadside or right-of-way areas that are infested with PMB, consider participating.
We need both soil and plant tissue samples from infested areas, ideally paired with neighboring areas that, despite the presence of PMB in the region, are not showing symptoms and have little or no infestation. Comparing locations with similar management and crop stages can help us understand whether soil or plant nutrient conditions, forage management, and species or cultivar influence susceptibility.
How to Collect Samples
The sampling process is very simple and requires few materials and tools:
- Four paper bags, or plastic bags if paper bags are unavailable
- A soil probe or a shovel
- A bucket
- Shears or a pocketknife
Start sampling the areas with no/less infestation, to reduce chances of moving insects between areas.
- Collect approximately 5-10 core samples of soil to a depth of 4 inches.
- Mix in a bucket.
- Place about 1 cup of the mixed soil into a labeled bag.
- Collect about five handfuls of forage by cutting plants at the base.
- Place the forage in a labeled bag and seal it.
- Repeat the process in the infested area.
If you have multiple fields that are infested, go ahead and submit multiple samples.
Handle and Submit Samples Safely
Freeze your samples for one day to kill the PMB and bring them to the nearest UF/IFAS Extension office. These practices will help reduce the risk of moving pasture mealybugs into areas where they have not yet been detected.
Find sampling protocols, printable forms, and online submission forms on the UF/IFAS Pasture Mealybug Survey and Sampling Project page.
For questions, email forages@ifas.ufl.edu. Sampling may be completed by producers or with assistance from your local Extension agent.
Your samples can help us find solutions!
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