Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper has issued a critical warning to the state’s cotton producers, urging immediate vigilance against the invasive Cotton Jassid (Amrasca biguttula). First identified in Seminole County in July 2025, the destructive pest is now rapidly spreading across Georgia’s vital cotton belt, posing a significant threat to the state’s top row-crop.

The Cotton Jassid is an insidious pest that feeds directly on cotton leaves. Its destructive feeding habits disrupt the plant’s crucial photosynthesis process, ultimately leading to substantial yield losses for farmers. Experts fear its uncontrolled proliferation could severely impact Georgia’s multi-million dollar cotton industry.

Commissioner Harper emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re encouraging all Georgia cotton producers to check their crop to look for evidence of the cotton jassid, and if found, immediately contact your County Extension office.”

He added, “GDA’s Plant Protection Division is working closely with University of Georgia Extension Service and the Georgia Cotton Commission, and I’m hopeful Extension Entomologists will soon have effective treatment strategies for Georgia cotton producers to protect their crop.”

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is actively collaborating with the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Service and the Georgia Cotton Commission to address the escalating crisis. UGA Extension specialists are currently conducting on-farm trials in an effort to develop effective management strategies. However, officials caution that definitive recommendations for treatment are still evolving.

As the industry awaits concrete treatment protocols, the immediate action for Georgia’s cotton producers remains clear: monitor crops closely for signs of the Cotton Jassid and report any sightings to their local County Extension office without delay. The collective efforts of state agriculture officials and research institutions are underway to safeguard Georgia’s cotton future against this new invasive threat.

Contact: Georgia Department of Agriculture Office of Communications [Insert Generic GDA Communications Email/Phone if available, e.g., press@agr.georgia.gov]