Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Invasive Pest Alert: Confirmed on Plants from Redding Costco
- Rex Ballard
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Threat to North State Agriculture, Economy, and Food Security.
Shasta County and Northern California residents who purchased grapevines or certain other plants from Costco this spring and early summer have received an urgent agricultural alert. On June 5, 2026, a confirmed glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) was found on a grape plant bought at the Redding Costco location. Similar detections have occurred across multiple Northern California counties from shipments between April 21 and May 19 (grapevines) and later for desert willows.
This invasive pest, known scientifically as Homalodisca vitripennis, is a major vector for Pierce’s Disease (caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa), which can kill grapevines and damage other crops. Local officials, including Shasta County Agricultural Commissioner John Ingram, are urging quick community action to prevent establishment in the North State.
The Threat to North State Vineyards, Farms, and Landscapes
The GWSS is larger and more mobile than native sharpshooters, allowing it to spread Pierce’s Disease more aggressively. Infected vines show leaf scorching, reduced fruit production, and can die within 1–5 years. While Shasta and surrounding counties (Tehama, Siskiyou, etc.) are not primary winegrape powerhouses like Napa or Sonoma, the region supports vineyards, orchards, citrus, and diversified farms. An unchecked outbreak could ripple through local agriculture.
California’s wine industry, valued at tens of billions annually, has already spent over $100 million yearly on Pierce’s Disease control and losses. Uncontained GWSS could add tens of millions more in lost production. For the North State, this means risks to farm income, jobs in viticulture/processing, tourism (winery visits), and related businesses. Broader impacts include higher food prices and reduced local produce availability, threatening food security in a region already facing economic pressures. Backyard gardens and landscape plants are also vulnerable, affecting homeowners.
State and Local Response
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP), in coordination with county agricultural commissioners and Costco, is leading containment efforts. Actions include:
Enhanced nursery inspections and treatment protocols at the source.
Public alerts and trapping/monitoring near affected sites and stores.
Inspections, safe disposal of infested plants, and placement of monitoring traps.
Rapid response protocols honed since the late 1990s Temecula Valley outbreak.
Shasta County has placed additional traps and is actively seeking reports to account for more of the ~plants shipped locally (officials note only about 20% accounted for so far). Similar efforts are underway in affected counties like Solano, Sonoma, and others.
Consumer Advice: What to Do If You Bought Plants
If you purchased grapevines from Costco between April 21–May 21, 2026 (or desert willows June 24–July 3 in listed counties):
Isolate immediately: Keep in original container, away from other plants. Do not plant if not already done. Double-bag in heavy trash bags and seal tightly if possible.
Do not return to store, transport, relocate, share, compost, or trash the plant.
Contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office right away for inspection, safe removal, and possible trapping. In Shasta County: (530) 224-4949 or shastaag@shastacounty.gov.
Report any suspected GWSS sightings promptly. Early detection is critical.
Identification Tips (from UC IPM/CDFA resources): Adults are ~1/2 inch long, brownish with white markings on wings and a prominent head. Nymphs are wingless and vary in color. They feed on plant sap, excreting "honeydew."
Tying It to Local Economy and Food Security
Shasta County’s agriculture and related industries are economic pillars. Invasive pests like GWSS undermine grower confidence, increase compliance costs, and could deter investment in local vineyards and farms. With California leading U.S. wine production, North State operations contribute to the supply chain. Protecting them safeguards jobs, tax revenue, and access to fresh local food/wine — vital for resilience amid supply chain vulnerabilities.
This incident highlights the importance of strong biosecurity, nursery oversight, and public vigilance. Costco and suppliers are cooperating, but consumer reports remain essential.
Call to Action: Shasta County residents — check your recent plant purchases and contact the Ag Department today. Support local agriculture by staying informed and buying from trusted sources with strong pest management practices. For more: CDFA PDCP, Shasta County Ag, or UC IPM.
