US: Sharpshooters found 30 miles from Napa

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 14 June 2004

Glassy-winged sharpshooters (GWS) have been discovered less than 30 miles from Napa County, according to reports in the local press, a serious concern for the region's US£380m wine industry.

The GWS carries Pierce's disease, which kills off vines and wreaked havoc on Vineyards in Southern California's Temecula Valley four years ago, a problem they are still trying to recover from.

According to the reports, the latest infestation included all three life cycles, including egg clusters, nymphs and adults, although the size of it was not known.

Talking in the Napa Valley press Dave Whitmer, agricultural commissioner of Napa County, said: "It's a problem because of how close it is. It represents great concern for the (wine) industry -- if there's anyone out there who still doesn't think that (the sharpshooter) could survive in Napa County because of the climate conditions, this is a clear indication that it can."

Containment plans are being deferred until visual surveys and trapping are complete and the infestation boundaries are determined.

Sectors: Wine