The Shasta County Agriculture Commissioner is sounding the alarm after confirming that as Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter has been found on a grape plant purchased at the Redding Costco. The pest carries a bacterium that can cause major damage to grapevines and may pose an enormous threat to the local vineyard industry if it’s not contained. Anyone who purchased grapevines from any Costco between April 21st and May 21st should immediately call 224-4949 or email shastaag@shastacounty.gov. The plants should not be moved or thrown away. The Agriculture Department can provide instructions on what to do, and they may want to place monitoring traps on the property to be sure the insect hasn’t spread.
-Steve Gibson