UF Targets Pest Threatening Florida Sugarcane
An invasive pest threatening Florida’s sugarcane crops has prompted a research effort at the University of Florida (UF). Scientists have secured $200,000 in federal funding to study the pasture mealybug and develop practical tools to help growers protect their fields and reduce potential losses.
The funding supports two years of work and forms part of a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). The initiative supports research in Florida and Louisiana, the country’s only sugarcane-producing states.
A threat to growers
The insect’s emergence presents a challenge for farmers who depend on sugarcane production. The funding will support a scientific response aimed at understanding the problem and identifying management options for growers.Researchers at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade will examine how the pest damages sugarcane. They will also evaluate insecticides for short-term use and identify sugarcane varieties that are less susceptible to infestation.The project includes collaboration with Louisiana State University to advance long-term management strategies for the industry.
Turning research into solutions
Entomologists Julien Beuzelin and De-Fen Mou lead the UF/IFAS team. According to the university, their findings will help establish science-based recommendations as researchers continue assessing the pest’s impact across Florida.Beuzelin warned that an unmanaged infestation could potentially destroy an entire sugarcane field. Although damage can vary, researchers say the insect can cause substantial yield losses, underscoring the importance of developing effective management practices.The team will combine its assessment of crop damage with evaluations of options that could help farmers respond. Identifying less vulnerable sugarcane varieties will be one part of that effort, alongside testing measures intended to address immediate pest pressure.For growers, the research aims to provide clearer information about both the threat and the available responses. The project will examine potential approaches rather than assume that one solution will work across every affected field.
Funding to protect crops
The $200,000 award provides resources to address an emerging agricultural threat and help growers limit potential losses.The project’s purpose extends beyond documenting the insect’s presence. Researchers intend to translate their findings into practical guidance that farmers can use when making crop protection decisions.Over the next two years, the partnership between Florida and Louisiana will focus on strengthening the sugarcane industry’s response to the invasive pest. By studying damage, evaluating control options, and identifying less susceptible varieties, the team hopes to give producers better tools to protect their harvests and manage infestations more effectively in the field.
