Invasive Insect Found on Costco Plants In Solano County Could Pose Threat to Napa Grapevines

Glassy-winged sharpshooters have been found on grapevines and citrus plants purchased at Costco locations in Vacaville, Fairfield, and in Napa and Sonoma counties. The insects are large leafhoppers that feed on plant sap and are related to cicadas. They are invasive and native to northern Mexico, introduced into Southern California in the 1990s. The sharpshooters carry and spread a bacterium that causes Pierce's disease, which can kill grapevines and severely damage vineyards. Agricultural officials are urging anyone who bought affected plants since April 21 to keep them isolated, cover them with garbage bags, and not move, plant, or dispose of them. Residents are asked to contact their county agricultural offices for inspection and possible destruction of the plants.

"Glassy-winged sharpshooters pose a serious and immediate threat to vineyards, agriculture, and backyard plants throughout Solano County and surrounding regions, says Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Ed King in a countywide alert. "These insects spread the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease, which can kill grapevines and severely impact vineyards. Community cooperation is critical right now.""

"Officials are telling anyone who may have purchased a citrus plant or grapevine from a Costco location in the North Bay since April 21 to keep the plants isolated and cover them in garbage bags and do not attempt to move, plant, or dispose of them. Any residents who purchased one of these plants after April 21 is asked to contact county officials so they can come inspect them and potentially destroy them."

"The invasive insects native to northern Mexico were first introduced to Southern California by accident in the 1990s, and they are known to carry and spread a bacterium that causes Pierce's disease, which can wipe out grapevines. Agricultural officials are on high alert for appearances of glassy-winged sharpshooters, which are large leafhoppers that feed on plant sap, and are related at the suborder level to cicadas."

"Grapevines and citrus plants purchased at Costco stores in Vacaville and Fairfield, as well as in Napa and Sonoma counties, have been found to be harboring infestations of glassy-winged sharpshooters, which pose a grave threat to grapevines. Agricultural officials are on high alert for appearances of glassy-winged sharpshooters, which are large leafhoppers that feed on plant sap, and are related at the suborder level to cicadas."

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