Urgent Alert: Invasive Insect Threatens California Vineyards Found in Costco Plant Shipments
An invasive insect that poses a threat to vineyards in California has been found on plant shipments delivered to Costco locations in California's Wine Country, as announced by agriculture officials. The Glassy-winged sharpshooters carry Pierce's disease, a bacterial infection that can be deadly to grapevines and can also harm citrus, almond, and residential plants. The affected shipments came from Burchell Nursery, Inc. in Fresno County and were received at Costco stores in Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Marin counties between April 21 and May 26.
The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's Office reported that 157 out of 220 grapevines delivered to Costco Wholesale in Napa County from Burchell Nursery are unaccounted for and may have been purchased by community members. Costco is working with agricultural commissioners to address the issue and is contacting members who bought plants during the specified timeframe. Customers who purchased grapevine or citrus plants from North Bay Costco locations in April and May are advised to contact their county's agricultural commissioner's office for inspection.
It is crucial for community members to cooperate in containing and eliminating this threat. If you have recently bought grapevines or citrus plants from Costco, contact the Agriculture Department immediately to schedule an inspection. The plants should be left in their original containers and sealed in two trash bags to prevent the spread of the pest. Do not relocate, transport, or return the plants to the store, and avoid disposing of them in the trash or compost bin.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter, originally from the southeastern U.S. and northeastern Mexico, was first identified in California in 1994. The California Department of Food and Agriculture is working to address the issue and prevent further spread of the insect. It is essential for the public to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect vineyards and other plants from this invasive species.