Invasive pasture mealybugs threaten Southeast agriculture with multi-billion dollar losses

NPR Business reported that pasture mealybugs, an invasive insect species, have killed large areas of grasses across the Southeastern United States.

These mealybugs are difficult to detect and eliminate, complicating efforts to control their spread and impact.

The damage caused by these insects threatens to cost the agricultural economy billions of dollars, adding to the financial pressures farmers are currently experiencing due to high operational costs.

This situation presents an additional challenge for the agricultural sector in the Southeast, which must now address the infestation alongside existing economic stresses.