First Paragraph: Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) is a serious new pest in California. Native to the southeast United States, this insect was first observed in California in 1990 and is now found throughout Southern California and parts of Kern County. It is a particular threat to California vineyards due to its ability to spread Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium that causes Pierce's disease. Pierce's disease kills grapevines, and there are no effective treatments for it. Glassy-winged sharpshooters have led to a Pierce's disease epidemic in the Temecula region of Southern California that threatens the survival of its viticultrual industry.
