Texas Issues Emergency Quarantine To Stop Invasive Cotton Pest

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has issued an emergency action regarding the latest invasive pest threatening cotton crops.

Texas has imposed strict quarantines in affected counties to attempt to mitigate further spread. Commissioner Miller called this pest a "ticking bomb" for the state's agriculture:

Cotton fuels our rural economy—we can't let it ravage yields. We've contained it so far, but this quarantine buys time to outsmart and crush it, protecting farmers, ranchers, and growers.

Texas' Latest Cotton Pest

What invasive pest is Commissioner Miller referring to? That would be the two-spotted cotton leafhopper, AKA the cotton jassid.

Although mild in appearance, cotton jassids are considered invasive species in America, having spread from Iran and Indonesia to Texas around 2025.

Texas Quarantine Effective Immediately

A total of four Texas counties have been placed under strict quarantine after cotton jassids were confirmed to be spotted: Cameron County, Grimes County, Fort Bend County, and Wharton County.

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The Quarantine was placed into effect on February 5, 2026, and will only be lifted once the Texas Department of Agriculture deems it safe to do so.

While under this quarantine, all crops from these counties, as well as nursery plants, will be heavily regulated. There is also a ban on all regulated crop deliveries from infested states (see full list here) unless they are confirmed to be pest-free.

Penalties for violating these regulations during quarantine include fines up to $4,000 and seizures of deliveries at the owner's cost.

What Are Cotton Jassids?

Cotton jassids (Amrasca biguttula) are small leafhopper insects who grow up to 1/8 of an inch as adults. Although often difficult to spot when alone, these pale green/yellowish pests are typically found in groups feeding on the underside of leaves.

Both nymphs and adults use their sharp mouthparts to suck the sap from the foliage, causing curling and yellowing to occur along the leaf's edges.

It's reported that, in India, cotton jassids are responsible for up to 50% of cotton yield loss while being notoriously difficult to control.

You can read more about Commissioner Miller's emergency action plan on the Texas Department of Agriculture website. You can also visit Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's webpage for more details on the cotton jassid and what to be on the lookout for in your crops.