Costco Plants Carry Pest That Devastates Grapevines

Northern California residents were alerted on Tuesday to an invasive insect species found on plants originating from Costco. The glassy-winged sharpshooter, detected on grapevines and citrus plants, presents an immediate danger to local vineyards and agriculture. This pest is a known vector for Pierce's disease, a bacterium that fatally dehydrates grapevines.

Solano County officials are urging anyone who purchased grapevines or citrus plants from Costco since April 21 to contact the Agriculture Department. Residents are advised to secure existing plants and await further instructions, rather than returning or discarding them. The insect, native to the southeastern U.S., was first found in California in the late 1980s and also affects other crops like almonds and peaches.