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An urgent warning issued Tuesday by Napa County’s agricultural commissioner hassparked concern across Californiaafter an invasive insect linked to devastating vineyard disease was discovered in grapevines sold at Costco Wholesale and distributed across multiple counties.
Officials confirmed that shipments of grapevines originating from Burchell Nursery in Fresno County were delivered toCostco locationsserving Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solan and Yolo counties.
The affected stock,220 grapevines in total, was shipped between April 21 and May 26 and included plants sold at Costco Wholesale in Napa.
The concern centers on the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), an insect resembling a cricket that poses a major threat toCalifornia’s agricultural industry.
Though harmless to humans and pets, the pest is highly destructive to plants because it spreads Pierce’s disease, abacterial infectionthat blocks water-conducting systems and ultimately dries out vines.
Inspectors have already removed and destroyed part of the shipment after detecting GWSS, according to Napa County agriculture commissioner Tracy Cleveland.
“63 of the 220 grapevines delivered to Napa Costco have been destroyed and one GWSS egg mass was found.” The remaining 157 grapevines “may be in the possession of community members who purchased them at Napa Costco,” the statement added.
Costco is now directly contacting affected members and is cooperating with county agriculture officials.
“GWSS is a devastating pest for our local vineyards, and it is critical for us to track down any potentially affected plants purchased at Costco or brought into Napa County,” Cleveland said. “I am confident that the community will pull together to help us limit the risk to our local agriculture. Vigilance and prompt reporting are essential”.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
