Plant consumers beware: Invasive insect found on shipment of grapevine and citrus plants in Costcos across California
For those who have recently purchased grapevines or citrus plants from Costco, the county is urging consumers to take immediate steps to prevent the spread of the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter.
This morning, the Shasta County Agricultural Commissioner sent out an important message to local plant consumers. Shipments of grapevines and citrus plants at Costcos across California were found to have invasive glassy-winged sharpshooters.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is about a half inch long and is in the leaf-hopper category of insect. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this invasive insect poses a significant threat to California’s grape industry, as they carry Pierce’s Disease, which affects the health of grape plants and eventually kills vines. Once the insect infects a grapevine, there is no way to treat it. According to a recent study conducted by agricultural economists at the University of California Davis and University of Alberta, Californian growers incurred $48 million in lost production and replacement of grapevines in 2022.
Shasta County is instructing all consumers of grapevines and citrus plants from Costco to take specific steps. Purchasers of Costco grapevines should securely wrap the plants in two garbage bags, then contact their local agricultural commissioner. Purchasers of citrus plants only need to contact their local agricultural department for an inspection, but should do so immediately. The county added that consumers should not return, transport, relocate, share or give away plants, and should not place plants in trash or compost containers.
These steps only apply for those who have purchased plants. Those who have purchased fruit, including grapes or citrus fruit, do not need to take any action.
The Shasta County Agriculture Department can be reached at 530-224-4949 or by email at shastaag@shastacounty.gov. You can reach the surrounding counties’ agricultural commissioners here:
- Tehama County: 530-527-4504
- Siskiyou County: 530-841-4025
- Lassen County: 530-251-8110
- Trinity County: 530-623-1356
- Modoc County: 530-233-6401
- Butte County: 530-552-4100
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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