San Diego County warns Costco customers against planting Desert Willow plants due to invasive insect eggs that threaten California’s wine industry.

SAN DIEGO — The County of San Diego Department of Weights and Measures are urging Costco customers who bought Desert Willow plants from June 24th through July 3rd to take immediate precautions after invasive Broad-headed Sharpshooter eggs were found on some of the plants.

Officials said the plants may be carrying Broad-headed Sharpshooters eggs, an insect not established in California that can spread Pierce’s disease through its feeding mouthparts. Also of concern is the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter. Jason Schwartze, Deputy Director for the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, said the disease can be deadly to grapevines and also threaten landscape plants and citrus trees.

The warning comes as state and county agriculture agencies work to prevent the pests from spreading farther, especially into Northern California’s wine grape regions. Officials said the economic stakes are high because the wine industry is a multibillion-dollar sector, and Pierce’s disease can cause serious losses.

Costco has notified customers who purchased the affected Desert Willow plants and is providing instructions through its notice and county agriculture contacts. If the plant has not been planted yet, officials say it should be kept isolated in its original pot, double-bagged if possible, and not moved, composted, or put in a green waste bin.

If the plant has already been planted, county officials said inspectors may visit to look for life stages of either insect or advise on the next steps. Customers who purchased the plants can also contact the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures for assistance.


Disposal Steps

Officials say customers should:

Keep the plant away from other plants.Do not compost it or place it in green waste.Double-bag it and throw it in the trash if instructed.Contact county agriculture officials for guidance.

A link to additional California Department of Food and Agriculture information can be included in the web story for readers who want more details.