An Invasive Insect Threatens Texas Cotton Farmers

It's not easy being a farmer. And in Texas being a cotton farmer can have its really good years, and really bad years. Due to drought and prices, the number of cotton farmers has fallen in Texas in recent years. Now cotton farmers might be facing a new threat. An invasive species that has arrived in Texas that targets cotton.

Texas Cotton Farmers Prepare for the Cotton Jassid

According to a report from KXAN, a new invasive species called the cotton jassid is now in Texas. It's favorite food appears to be the cotton plant and for cotton farmers in Texas, this poses a major new threat to future crops.

Earlier this month, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced that the cotton jassid, also known as the two-spotted leafhopper, was found in a cotton crop in Fort Bend County, south of Houston. The insect arrived in Texas on a hibiscus plant shipped from South Florida.

Experts say that this year's crop should be fine. But if the insect establishes itself in Texas and build up population growth, that's when cotton farmers could see a problem.

What Is The Cotton Jassid?

The cotton jassid originated in the eastern hemisphere according to KXAN. In 2022 it arrived in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Last year it was spotted in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.

They feed on leafs. They eat cotton plants, okra, and peanuts.

The good news? Cotton jassids apparently can't survive a deep freeze. So a really cold winter might just be what Texas needs.