Other Grass Crops
Pasture Mealybug in other Grass Crops
To date, no infestations have been reported in other grass crops besides sugarcane, forages and turf in Florida. However, continued awareness and scouting are encouraged, particularly in areas near known infestations in pastures, sugarcane, or unmanaged grasses. Early detection can help identify potential new infestations.
Sweet Corn
Although no PMB infestations have been reported in sweet corn in Florida, PMB has been observed in Texas infesting field corn and grain sorghum.
Scouting recommendations:
- Pay particular attention to lower leaves near the base of plants and older, senescing leaves.
- Use a hand lens with at least 10x magnification to identify small PMB nymphs.
- Monitor surrounding vegetation, especially grasses that may serve as alternative hosts.
- Report suspected PMB sightings or unusal yellowing symptoms to UF/IFAS Extension for identification and confirmation.
Early detection and reporting will help researchers determine whether PMB becomes a concern for sweet corn production in Florida.
For more information on considerations for the 2026-2027 Sweet Corn Season, please visit the Commercial Vegetable Production Newsletter.