 Side view of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Photo courtesy of the California Department of Food and Agriculture)
Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Still Poses Threat to Solano’s Ag Industry
It has been more than two years since the glassy-winged sharpshooter appeared in a residential area of North Vacaville. County and State Ag officials continue their efforts to eradicate this invasive pest that poses a significant threat to a number of high value crops.
In October 2021, the destructive pest was detected in the Browns Valley area of Vacaville. This touched off a robust program of trapping, visual inspections and treatments in the area.
To underscore the threat glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) poses to Ag and the overall economy, the California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a Proclamation of an Emergency Program in November 2021 and November 2023, which aids our local efforts to contain and ultimately eradicate the pest.
With the weather starting to warm up and the pest becoming active again, it is imperative that our Solano County Agriculture Department has the support of the affected community so that GWSS does not continue to reproduce and spread.
There are more than 360 types of landscape, native and Ag crops that GWSS feeds on, including grapevine, almond, olive and citrus. In addition, while Crepe myrtle trees are commonly planted in residential areas due to their beautifully colored flowers, they also make one of the most desirable hosts for GWSS.
The female GWSS lay eggs on host plants after overwintering. These eggs hatch and develop into adult GWSS, which are known to be strong fliers that can spread the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce’s Disease. This disease kills grapevines by clogging their water-conducting vessels (xylem). The University of California reported that the disease destroyed over 1,000 acres of grapevines in northern California between 1994 and 2000, causing $30 million in damages.
In Solano County, the combined value of just the grapevine and almond crop in 2022 was more than $47 million. Nursery products are also a top agricultural commodity in Solano County, bringing in nearly $44 million in 2022. Should this destructive pest expand outside of the current treatment area, the losses to the farming community could be ruinous. There are countless jobs and people's livelihoods at stake.
This sentiment is not just shared locally, but across the state. Funding for Pierce’s Disease/GWSS research and response comes not just from Federal, State and local government, but the Ag industry itself.
In 2001, an annual, value-based assessment on wine grapes was established to fund Pierce’s Disease/GWSS research and related activities. The Pierce’s Disease/GWSS Board was also established at that time. The Board advises the California Department of Food and Agriculture on the best use of assessment funds, ensuring dollars are spent wisely and productively to find solutions to Pierce’s Disease, GWSS, and other designated pests and diseases of wine grapes.
 Symptoms of Pierce's Disease in a vineyard. (Photo courtesy of University of California)
Solano County Ag Commissioner Ed King and myself continue to communicate with residents in the affected area about the threat of Pierce’s Disease and the harm it can have on the natural environment, agriculture and the local economy. The County’s Ag department staff will likely be present in the area performing necessary survey and treatments to GWSS host material and I urge our residents to work with them and allow access when asked.
Allowing this GWSS infestation to expand beyond its current treatment area has the potential to devastate our local Ag sector – not to mention impact neighboring Napa County, home to a world-renowned grape growing region.
There is currently no known cure for Pierce’s Disease.
If you have questions about this program, please do not hesitate to contact me, or call the Ag department’s GWSS hotline at 707-784-3120.
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Since 2003, Supervisor John M. Vasquez has had the privilege to represent the 4th Supervisorial District covering Northern Solano County. The district includes portions of Vacaville and Dixon. He can be reached at (707) 784-6129 or JMVasquez@SolanoCounty.com. |
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