An infestation of an invasive insect has prompted an urgent alert for several Northern California counties after it was discovered on grapevines and citrus plants sold at Costco. The glassy-winged sharpshooter was detected in multiple counties, including Sacramento, Solano, Stanislaus, Yolo, Alameda, Marin, Placer, Napa, Yuba and San Mateo counties, according to agriculture officials. Some of the infested plants were sold at Costco locations in Marysville and Sacramento. Between April 21 and May 21, Costco locations received multiple shipments of grapevines from Burchell Nursery, Inc., in Fresno County, according to Sacramento County agricultural officials. The insect was detected on those shipments across the state, including Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties. Officials said 160 grapevines delivered to Costco locations in Sacramento have been destroyed with multiple life stages of the insect species found by agricultural inspectors. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a non-native invasive pest that can carry Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection that can kill grapevines and damage other plants, posing a threat to California agriculture and home gardens. “GWSS can also damage almond, citrus and ornamental plants,” Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chrisandra Flores said. “The County has been vigilant in preventing this pest from becoming established, to date. It is imperative that the community pull together to help us limit the risk to our local vineyards and agriculture.” Officials said hundreds of grapevines are unaccounted and are in the possession of whoever bought them at Sacramento Costco locations. Officials recommend anyone who recently purchased grapevines place two garbage bags over the plants and secure them tightly. For citrus plants, people are advised to schedule an inspection with the agriculture department. Officials warn against attempting to return, transport, or relocate the plants. They also caution against placing the plants in the trash or compost bin, as it could cause the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation. “Now that the glassy-winged sharpshooter has been confirmed on these plants, preventing further spread is critical,” Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo said. “We are working closely with Costco and our state and regional partners to identify affected plants and protect local agriculture and home gardens.”KCRA 3 has reached out to Costco for comment. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico and was first detected in California in the 1990s, according to officials. The invasive insect has become established in portions of central and southern California. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. —
An infestation of an invasive insect has prompted an urgent alert for several Northern California counties after it was discovered on grapevines and citrus plants sold at Costco.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter was detected in multiple counties, including Sacramento, Solano, Stanislaus, Yolo, Alameda, Marin, Placer, Napa, Yuba and San Mateo counties, according to agriculture officials.
Some of the infested plants were sold at Costco locations in Marysville and Sacramento.
Between April 21 and May 21, Costco locations received multiple shipments of grapevines from Burchell Nursery, Inc., in Fresno County, according to Sacramento County agricultural officials. The insect was detected on those shipments across the state, including Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties.
Officials said 160 grapevines delivered to Costco locations in Sacramento have been destroyed with multiple life stages of the insect species found by agricultural inspectors.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a non-native invasive pest that can carry Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection that can kill grapevines and damage other plants, posing a threat to California agriculture and home gardens.
“GWSS can also damage almond, citrus and ornamental plants,” Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chrisandra Flores said. “The County has been vigilant in preventing this pest from becoming established, to date. It is imperative that the community pull together to help us limit the risk to our local vineyards and agriculture.”
Officials said hundreds of grapevines are unaccounted and are in the possession of whoever bought them at Sacramento Costco locations.
Officials recommend anyone who recently purchased grapevines place two garbage bags over the plants and secure them tightly. For citrus plants, people are advised to schedule an inspection with the agriculture department.
Officials warn against attempting to return, transport, or relocate the plants. They also caution against placing the plants in the trash or compost bin, as it could cause the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation.
“Now that the glassy-winged sharpshooter has been confirmed on these plants, preventing further spread is critical,” Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo said. “We are working closely with Costco and our state and regional partners to identify affected plants and protect local agriculture and home gardens.”
KCRA 3 has reached out to Costco for comment.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico and was first detected in California in the 1990s, according to officials. The invasive insect has become established in portions of central and southern California.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel