AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced Monday that an “invasive pest” has made its way into Texas, including Cedar Park, which could lead to infestations on plants and could lead to “economic losses if left unchecked.”
The cotton jassid is known to feed on a various range of plant hosts, like “cotton, okra, eggplant, sunflower, hibiscus, and several weeds,” according to a news release from Miller’s office.
As of August, the pest was detected on “retail hibiscus in multiple locations including College Station, McAllen, Weslaco, Harlingen, Victoria, Cedar Park, Waco, El Paso, and Longview,” the release said.
For anyone who recently purchased “hibiscus or other cotton family plants from a retail store” should inspect their plants carefully and look for signs of infestation.
“The two-spotted leafhopper, or cotton jassid, poses a significant threat to Texas agriculture, particularly to our cotton growers. Our response is risk-based, science-driven, and coordinated with industry. We will do what it takes to defend Texas farmers, ranchers, and the multibillion-dollar cotton industry that stands as a pillar of our economy. To safeguard this industry, we are acting quickly, decisively, and with all our resources to prevent this pest from gaining a foothold in our state,” Miller said in the release.
Miller’s office, along with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), “ordered the detection and destruction of infested hibiscus and any other plants belonging to the cotton family originating from these nurseries.”
“TDA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, cotton producer organizations, and the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association to assess the extent of the threat. Outreach and education materials on the cotton jassid are being distributed to growers, retailers, and the public to help identify and report suspected infestations,” the release said.
Those who suspect an infestation can contact TDA at 1 (800) TELL TDA or contact TDA’s regional offices, which can be found online.
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