Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Infestation Spreads Across Bay Area via Costco Grapevines

Bay Area agriculture officials are on high alert after a dangerous grapevine pest was imported into the region through Costco sales. The glassy-winged sharpshooter, which spreads the fatal Pierce's disease, has been found in hundreds of grapevines sold at Costco locations across multiple counties.

On Tuesday, Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Yolo counties reported infestations, with Contra Costa County joining on Wednesday. The plants originated from Burchell Nursery in Fresno County.

In Contra Costa County, approximately 200 plants were sold before detection, distributed through five Costco stores in Danville, Concord, Brentwood, Richmond, and Antioch. Officials destroyed remaining plants after confirming multiple life stages of the insect.

The pest poses a serious threat to grapevines, almond, citrus, and ornamental plants, with adult sharpshooters capable of draining 200 to 300 times their body weight in water daily, causing infested trees to lose up to 15 gallons per day. Marin County Agricultural Commissioner Joe Deviney emphasized that Costco is not at fault and has been an exceptional partner.

In Napa County, 220 grapevines were sold, but only 63 have been destroyed, leaving 157 unaccounted for. Residents who purchased plants since April 21 are urged not to return them but to double-bag the plant in garbage bags and contact their local agricultural commissioner via the California Department of Agriculture website.