Bay Area agriculture officials are on high alert after a Fresno County nursery imported a dangerous grapevine pest into the region via Costco sales to consumers. - The glassy-winged sharpshooter has been found in grapevines sold at Costco locations in Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Yolo, and Contra Costa counties.
- Roughly 200 plants were sold in Contra Costa County before detection; the plants came from five Costco stores in Danville, Concord, Brentwood, Richmond, and Antioch. - The pest spreads Pierce’s disease, which is fatal to grapevines and can also damage almond, citrus, and ornamental plants.
- Officials urge anyone who purchased a plant since April 21 to not return it to the store, but instead double-bag it and contact the local agriculture commissioner.