Another Devastating Pest Moves into Florida - Pasture Mealybug

In case you haven’t yet heard, there is yet another pest spreading around Florida: the pasture mealybug. It first came onto FDACS radar in Florida back in May of 26 and now has spread and is found in many counties in South Florida.  

A pink-bodied winged adult male in a heavy infestation of unmated females and nymphs. Photo: Erin C. Powell, FDACS-DPI

This mealybug is a pest of grasses and is ravaging the sugar cane industry as well as spreading to cattle pastures.  It can be a pest of many grasses including corn, rice, bahiagrass, lipograss, bermudagrass and many others. 

Damage from this pest is a severe dieback, stunting, and senescence of leaves and then death of the grass. 

Please check any grass plants that are moved from south Florida for this pest.  If you suspect that your pasture, turf or ornamentals are showing signs of a pasture mealybug infestation, submit a sample to DPI’s Entomology section for identification or contact the DPI Helpline at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIHelpline@FDACS.gov.

For more detailed information, here is the FDACS pest alert.  https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/120429/file/pasture-mealybug-pest-alert.pdf

Pesticide License Testing Will No Longer Take Place at Extension Offices in Florida

Some very important information from FDACS regarding pesticide license testing...

 Dear Valued Industry Professionals,  

We’re sharing an important update regarding pesticide license testing in Florida. The final transition from the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension (UF/IFAS) to Everblue will take effect on October 1, 2025. 

 

🔄 Key Changes & Dates 

• September 30, 2025: Last day UF/IFAS will administer exams at extension offices.

• October 1, 2025: All exams—remote and in-person—will be managed by Everblue. 

 

🧪 Testing Options 

• Remote Exams Already available and scheduled directly through Everblue.  

💲 Cost: $32 

 🖥️ Flexible testing from any location. 

 

• In-Person Exams Available at Everblue test centers across Florida.  

💲 Cost: $59  

📍 View Testing Locations here: <https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=15L1-gcd3Kar_VMDfqMHuP28FbRSjeWs&usp=sharing>

 

📝 How to Register for Everblue Exams

To schedule either exam type: 

1. Apply to FDACS for an exam voucher at <https://aeslicensing.fdacs.gov>

2. If approved, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to pay for and schedule your exam(s) through Everblue. 

 

🆓 FDACS Free Exam Administration Days 

In addition to Everblue-proctored exams, FDACS will host two sessions with waived proctoring fees (application fees still apply). Advance sign-up will be required. Details regarding availability and sign up will be shared soon. 

 

Session 1  

📅 November 5–6, 2025  

📍 FDACS Eyster Auditorium, Tallahassee, FL  

🕗 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 

 

Session 2  

📅 February 3–4, 2026  

📍 Gulf Coast UF/IFAS Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL  

🕗 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 

 

We appreciate your continued partnership and look forward to supporting you through this transition. For questions or assistance, please contact AESCares@fdacs.gov. 

 

Warm regards,

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Changes at FDACS Pesticide License Websites and Updates

 

FDACS Pesticide Website Update Coming

FDACS is in the process of modernizing and updating their databases and web pages related to pesticide licensing. Consequently, there will be major changes to the look, feel, and location of the FDACS website. The update is set to launch very soon, in late March/early April.  

FDACS web pages to be combined

The following separate web pages will all be combined into a single website and all their functions will be found in one place.

• https://aesecomm.fdacs.gov/  - Application process, testing vouchers, and forms.
• https://aessearch.fdacs.gov/  - Public database search for license numbers, pesticide business locations, CEUs, and other public database information.
• https://ceu.fdacs.gov/  - Database for CEU program providers—this may affect county Extension offices the most; see section below on legacy web pages.
• https://fumigation.fdacs.gov/  - Fumigation notification form.

 All of these web pages will soon be housed in a single location. UF/IFAS will share the address of the website as soon as it is available.

Website Navigation

• Upon first visit to the new website, all users will need to register with an email and create a password. Remember this password. Users will need it anytime they access the site.
• FDACS will provide the specifics of the website’s layout and functionality. Tutorials may also be forthcoming from FDACS in the near future.
• UF/IFAS will develop materials and be prepared to assist with navigating the new FDACS website just as soon as we have been granted access.

Important Dates

March 28^th all FDACS websites related to pesticides will be shut down to turn on the new platform. The new platform will turn on April 1^st. This means: 

• NO exams can be scheduled March 28^th – March 31^st
• NO exams can be completed or hosted March 28^th – March 31^st
• NO data on vouchers, CEUS, anything pesticide related will be accessible March 28^th – March 31^st
• April 1^st the new website turns on and we should be good to resume testing as per normal procedures

All questions about the website and its functionality should be directed to FDACS:

AESCares@FDACS.gov  

1-850-617-7997

What happens to legacy web pages?

1. The Public Database searches will be live and all historical data will be maintained for stakeholders in read-only format.
2. All previously uploaded CEU attendance records will be accessible by FDACS and used to confirm CEU renewal where applicable.
3. Over the next weeks after launch, all the previously approved CEU programs will be migrated into the new system. This will make them accessible to CEU providers and stakeholders alike.
4. It is imperative that you ensure you email and information in the current system is up-to-date AND you will need to make sure it matches when you log in to the NEW system.

What about Vouchers in the system?

All vouchers that are unused before the shutoff of the old FDACS websites on March 28^th will no longer be valid on April 1^st. If you have anyone scheduled currently for exams in your office that occur after March 28^th, you should let your testers know they will need new vouchers.

 

• Chapter 482 vouchers WILL be reissued BUT only if the examinee contacts FDACS directly

• People will miss this information and we will have to help people either call FDACS to get it reissued or for chapter 487 and 388 vouchers, perhaps just get a new voucher

• ALL vouchers unused by March 28^th will be invalid. All vouchers from April 1^st moving forward will be in the new system

I hope this isn't too confusing to you and all of us at UF/IFAS are learning alongside with you with all the FDACS website changes.  If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Florida Pesticide Certification Exam Changes

 

Extension will no longer offer pesticide exams in the near future.

UF/IFAS remains committed to best serving our stakeholders through education, training, and support. The primary provider for pesticide certification exam locations has been UF/IFAS through the county Extension network. All 67 county offices have historically offered free exams, either on paper or via a computer. Due to technological updates to Windows, internet networks, and the computers UF/IFAS uses for testing, there will be changes to the testing process going forward. Below is the timeline for these changes.

Effective January 1, 2025, paper exams will no longer be offered at UF/IFAS county Extension offices.

 

Exams will still be available using the following two options:

 1)    Computer exams at county Extension offices. Check the schedule and availability of your local extension office: https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/public/testcenters.jsp

2) Testing with your own equipment using the Everblue testing portal (additional fees required).

 

Effective October 1, 2025 testing will no longer be available at UF/IFAS county Extension offices. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is in the process of selecting a testing vendor to take over at that point. Their stated plan is to have two options available for examinations:

 1.    Testing on a remote proctored platform. This would be similar (if not the same) as the current Everblue portal.

 2.    Testing at licensed testing centers around the state. These locations host a variety of other tests, like the GRE, SAT, and other professional certification exams.

 The vendor, locations and processes related to testing after October 1, 2025, are still to be determined, but will be communicated as soon as that information is available.

 For questions, contact the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office:

 Brett Wells Bultemeier

7922 NW 71^st Street 

PO Box 110710 

Gainesville, FL, 32653 

352-392-4721 

352-294-6941 Direct Line 

Pesticide Office Website 

Our Blog 

Pest Alert Snout Scale

 This alert came in through FDACS.  The pictures at the end are a great resource for identifying scale insects.  Here is a link to the original posting.   https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/93731/file/PEST-ALERT-Snout-Scale.pdf

China Ships Suspicious Seeds

 For Immediate Release: July 27, 2020

Contact: Office of Communications, (850) 617-7737

Twitter: @FDACS & @NikkiFriedFL                      

FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China

                                                                                  

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and others.

As of July 27, FDACS has received at least 160 reports from Florida residents reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.

The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”

What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:

• Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible
• Do not plant the seeds or discard them in trash that will be landfilled
• Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from the USDA
• Report the seed package to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov
• Report the seed package to the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov

When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.

Photo credit: Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Clean Waterways Act and What Does That Mean as a Producer

Here is an important regulatory update if you are an agricultural producer.

Attention farmers and ranchers. We want to give you a heads-up about a recent law change associated with the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (FDACS) best management practices (BMP) program.  On June 30th, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 712, “The Clean Waterways Act” sponsored by Sen. Debbie Mayfield (Rep. Indian River/Brevard) and Rep. Bobby Payne (Rep. Palatka).

The Clean Waterways Act passed the 2020 Florida Legislature with bipartisan support. The bill modifies the FDACS BMP Program Implementation Verification requirements and carries a wide range of water quality protection provisions aimed at minimizing the impact of known sources of nutrient pollution.  This new legislation will impact growers who have operations within basin management action plan (BMAP) areas, and growers enrolled in the FDACS BMP program and who are implementing BMPs and applying nutrients.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) tests waterbodies throughout the state and has designated many of them to be impaired below state standards. To improve water quality in these systems, FDEP, along with many stakeholders, has established BMAPs statewide that describe the sources of impairment and plans for addressing impairments to meet water quality standards.

To address water quality impairments, FDEP and stakeholders are implementing strategies to reach BMAP nutrient or bacteria reduction goals. As part of these strategies, regulatory agencies are utilizing environmental permitting to meet their goals while other entities, including counties and local governments that contribute non-point sources of pollution to waterbodies, use other methods to accomplish BMAP objectives. Agriculture is using FDACS-adopted BMPs to address water quality goals of the BMAPs.

FDACS agricultural BMPs have been extensively used statewide for about two decades. Farmers and ranchers throughout the state have signed Notices of Intent to Implement BMPs (NOIs) with FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) and are presumed to be in compliance with state water quality regulations if they are properly implementing the BMPs identified in the NOI.

The Clean Waterways Act states the following:  “In order to attain assurance of implementation of BMPs, at least every 2 years, FDACS  shall perform onsite inspections of each agricultural producer that enrolls in a best management practice to ensure that such practice is being properly implemented. Such verification will include a collection and review of the best management practice documentation from the previous 2 years required by rules adopted including, but not limited to, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application records, which must be collected and retained by FDACS. FDACS is required to initially prioritize the inspection of agricultural producers located in the basin management action plans for Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon, the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary, and Silver Springs.”

If you have any questions or issues about enrolling in the FDACS BMP program, please do not hesitate to call your Extension Agent, who can direct you to the appropriate FDACS representative to assist you. You may also call a UF/IFAS BMP Implementation Team member or FDACS representative for any other questions.

Pesticide Exam Testing Resumes at Hillsborough County Extension Office

Pesticide Exams are Back

After a three month hiatus due to COVID 19 precautions UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County will resume pesticide exams beginning Wednesday May 20.

Scheduled exam dates and times are Wednesday May 20, Friday May 29 and Thursday June 4. Exam times are 8 am, 10 am and 12 noon. Beginning Wednesday June 10 exams dates will return to the once per month schedule.

There are extra precautions in place to keep everyone safe:

1. Bring in only your valid ID, no cell phones or other materials.
2. Masks are provided and must be worn while in our facility.
3. Hand sanitizer is available and we encourage you to use it.
4. Six feet social distancing must be maintained while in the facility.
5. Computer equipment and surfaces will be disinfected between sessions and users.

Although you must enter and leave through the main front entrance, exams will be administered in the conference center so that we can maintain social distancing guidelines.

To apply to take an exam and schedule an exam click on the link below:

https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/

For questions about licenses and exams contact me at:
Phone:  813-553-3560
Email:   szcrmchz@ufl.edu

Rose Rosette Mites Detected in Florida

First report of Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, the vector of Rose rosette virus in Florida.
by Xavier Martini, Austin N Fife, Gary Knox, and Mathews Paret

The eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus is the vector of Rose rosette virus (RRV), an emaravirus identified as the causal agent of the devastating Rose Rosette Disease (RRD). Incidence of RRD has grown exponentially, as the range of P. fructiphilus spread from the non-native, invasive wild rose, Rosa multiflora (Thunb) into other cultivated and uncultivated roses in the southeastern United States. In July 2019, P. fructiphilus was collected for the first time in Florida. Phyllocoptes fructiphilus is an established native pest of ornamental roses in the western United States and has become widely distributed in the eastern United States. However, the mite has never been previously found in Florida. RRV is currently not established in Florida. However, RRV infected plants have been identified on plants shipped for commercial production to Florida many times since 2013 and destroyed by UF-IFAS in collaboration with DPI-FDACS. Phyllocoptes fructiphilus were not present in any of these intercepted plants. This new confirmation of the presence of Phyllocoptes fructiphilus in the landscape is critical and warrants continued monitoring of the mite in Florida.

Description and biology

Eriophyid mites like Phyllocoptes fructiphilus are notable for their small size (140-170 µm long and 43 µm wide), carrot-shaped body and for having only four legs instead of the usual eight for other mites. P. fructiphilus lives on the new growth of buds and between stem and leaf petioles during the warm season. Mites overwinter under bark and old bud scales. Females begin laying eggs on shoots in the spring. Development from egg to adult takes 1 week. Adult females can live up to 26 days, and they can lay an egg each day. Therefore, these mites have the potential to build up to large numbers very quickly. P. fructiphilus lives and breeds on all cultivated roses, wild native roses and wild non-native roses such as multiflora roses.

Disease symptoms

It generally takes between 17 and 90 days for P. fructiphilus to transmit RRV to a rose. Symptoms appear 1 to 3 months after infection. As the mites are not visible to the naked eye, knowledge of how to recognize RRD symptoms is essential. Symptoms include: witches’ brooms (red small twisted leaves on elongated branches); severe thorn proliferation; leaf mosaic; distorted leaves and flower buds. Some of these symptoms can be misidentified and confused with herbicide damage or young leaf flush. In spring and fall, many healthy roses have reddened foliage; however, red pigmentation associated with RRD will persist for the life of the foliage. Plants usually die 1 to 2 years following infection.

Dispersal

Phyllocoptes fructiphilus dispersal is mostly aerial and the mite spreads via wind currents between plants. Therefore, the closer a rose is located to RRD roses the more likely it is to be infested, especially if the roses are situated downwind from the mite source. It is likely that humans also disperse these mites by moving infested plants or plant parts between different locations. Phoretic dispersal via insects and other animals is also possible but has not yet been demonstrated for P. fructiphilus. Another possible source of dispersion is by contaminated clothing and equipment.

Management

There is currently no cure for RRD. If a plant is infected, it is recommended to uproot (as the virus survives in the roots) and destroy the plant immediately. A new plant can be planted 7 days later in the same location, as mites do not survive more than 5 days without a rose host. To avoid spread of the disease, it is recommended to inspect roses for RRD symptoms before being purchased and avoiding entering areas with roses after coming back from an infested area. RRD can be transmitted by grafting but not by pruning.

Cultural control of mites

As dispersal of the mites is mostly aerial, walls and windbreaks may reduce P. fructiphilus dispersal and the spread of RRD. When planting roses, leave enough space between plants to prevent leaves from touching, which allows mites to crawl from one plant to another. Pruning will reduce mite populations, but prunings and fallen debris may contain mites. To prevent prunings from dispersing mites, it is critical to immediately bag prunings on-site and transport bagged materials for off-site disposal.

Chemical control of mites

Spirotetramat (e.g. Kontos®) and abamectin (e.g. Avid®)* based miticides include products labelled for eriophyid mite control in greenhouses and nurseries. Some studies indicate that carbaryl or bifenthrin based insecticides may effectively control P. fructiphilus. These chemicals can be found in some products labelled for use in landscapes and home gardens.

Scouting and collection

Due to their size, the mites are only visible under magnification. They can be found on leaf petiole bases and axillary buds, and are associated with fast-growing and soft tissues. There are a few different species of eriophyid mites that live on rose other than P. fructiphilus. Species identification can only be done under a microscope by a specialist. If the presence of either Phyllocoptes fructiphilus or RRD is suspected, please contact below before shipping. Collect the damaged/infested shoots and/or fruit and place them into a sealable polyethylene bag. Place paper towels into the bag (to reduce mold) and then carefully seal the bag before sending it to the following addresses:
Sam Bolton Division of Plant Industry/Entomology Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services The Doyle Conner Building, 1911 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32608 samuel.bolton@FreshFromFlorida.com 352-395-4679 or Dr. Xavier Martini University of Florida NFREC, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351 xmartini@ufl.edu 850-875-7160

Resources

For more information on RRD, please visit these sites: Rose Rosette Disease: A New Disease of Roses in Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp317
Roserosette.org

* Mentioning these pesticides does not signify endorsement or recommendation of any specific treatment option or chemical by the University of Florida.

Nipaecoccus viridis (Newstead), lebbeck mealybug, (Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), Updated Pest Alert

This Pest Alert was issued by FDACS on a mealybug with a wide range of hosts...
https://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/download/84014/2481005/pest-alert-nipaecoccus-viridis.pdf

INTRODUCTION
The first report of lebbeck mealybug in Florida occurred in 2009 where Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Specialists Andrew Derksen (DPI) and Karolynne Griffiths (USDA) collected this New Western Hemisphere Record on November 13, 2009 from Palm Beach County on host plant dodder, Cuscuta exaltata. Since then there are 89 records of this species from over 40 host plant species in four counties in Florida (Broward, Martin, Miami Dade, Palm Beach) (FDACS-DPI database). On June 14, 2019, a citrus sample with lebbeck mealybug was collected by Lauren Diepenbrock (University of Florida) (E2019-3408-1) in Highlands County, Florida after noticing heavy infestation of white wax on branches and citrus fruits (Fig. 1). This find represents a new county record and is the first occurrence of lebbeck mealybug in commercial citrus.

DESCRIPTION
Approximately 4 mm long by 3 mm wide with body color black, purple to blue green with thick white or pale-yellow wax. Females produce an ovisac (Fig. 1) with a wax that is sticky when touched. In high densities (Fig. 1), waxy secretions may appear as a continuous layer of wax which will obscure individual mealybugs. Wax may turn yellow in older infestations. Specimens do turn black in 70% alcohol. This might be a good, quick field diagnostic, but species confirmation will require slide mounting (Stocks and Hodges 2009). For pictures visit the link above.

HOST PLANTS AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
 It has been reported from over 45 host plant families including several species of citrus from at least 63 countries all over the world. (García Morales et al., 2016).

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
This is an agricultural pest in many parts of the world on a variety of agricultural crops. In Florida, citrus, cotton, ornamentals and tropical plants would all be potential impacted crops. In citrus growing areas of Jordan, where this insect had been a pest prior to introduction of biological controls, it caused such extensive damage that groves were burned in an effort to eradicate it (Stocks 2013). Losses in citrus groves are mainly due to premature fruit drop. In South Africa, infested citrus acreage demonstrated losses of up to 50% of the crop (Cilliers and Bedford, 1978).