Officials Spot Pest That Destroys Grapevines
From Times Wire Reports
This year’s first glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation has been discovered in Santa Clara County, according to state agriculture officials. The bugs were found by county employees at a nursery and a residential area in Cupertino.
The sharpshooters are imported pests that can spread a bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease in grapevines, threatening the state’s $2.7-billion grape industry.
In the 11 years since they were first spotted in California, the insects have destroyed thousands of acres of vines in Southern California and in Kern County.
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