Glassy-winged Sharpshooter
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a serious agricultural pest in California. When feeding, it can transmit Pierce's Disease to grapevines, and other diseases to almond trees, alfalfa, and oleanders. First identified in the State in 1990, this insect has spread throughout Southern California and into the San Joaquin Valley. In 2001, the glassy-winged sharpshooter was discovered in Santa Clara County. Since then, six infestations have been detected and eradicated within the County -- the last of which was eradicated in 2017. Currently, the Division conducts exclusion and detection activities to keep Santa Clara County free of this pest.
What should you do if you think you've seen the glassy-winged sharpshooter in your yard?
- Collect/photograph the insect and closely compare it to the pictures at this or other websites.
- If you believe that you have caught a glassy-winged sharpshooter, contact our office. Photographs of suspect glassy-winged sharpshooters can be emailed to [email protected] or [email protected].
GWSS is now found throughout southern California and in localized areas in the state. The "GWSS distribution and infestations throughout the state" link in the attachments below will show you a map of the infestation in the state.