Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) Pasture mealybugs (Heliococcus summervillei and Heliococcus novovillei) are invasive insects whose young feed on plants, stunting the plant development by depositing honeydew and saliva that cripples plants’ immune systems and photosynthesis capabilities. (2) The combination of feeding and infections has the potential to decimate otherwise productive grazing land throughout the United States, in addition to impacts to additional economically significant crops such as sugarcane. As of the date of enactment of this Act, the pasture mealybug has been found in States across the southeast region of the country. (3) The removal of productive land for grazing and hay, and the infestation and spread to crops, poses a tremendous economic and ecological threat to States.