Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/331901
16 W i n e s & V i n e s J U LY 2 0 1 4 J U L Y N E W S J U L Y N E W S N apa, Calif.— On the morning of May 22, inspectors from the Napa County Agricultural Com- missioner's office discovered two via- ble glassy-winged sharpshooter egg masses during a shipment inspection at a local plant retailer. In addition to contacting the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Napa officials notified authorities in other counties, and throughout the day at least five California counties identified glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) eggs in shipments originating from the same plant broker in San Diego County, Calif. The sharpshooter insect is a notorious vec- tor for spreading Pierce's disease to plants in cluding grapevines. Eggs were discovered in crape myrtle trees that were part of shipments to Sutter, San Mateo, Napa, Sonoma and Sac- ramento counties, according to Humberto Izquierdo, the assistant agricultural commis- sioner in Napa County. Three infested ship- ments were identified in Sacramento County, and all of the counties where GWSS eggs were discovered grow grapevines commercially. Napa County inspectors found egg masses on two different crepe myrtle trees. The samples were driven to the CDFA lab in Sacramento, Calif., for identification and to determine via- bility. A CDFA entomologist determined both egg masses to be viable sharpshooters. Eggs discovered in Sacramento County also were determined to be viable, while those found in Sonoma County were not. Lab results from the other counties were pending. Staff from CDFA's Pierce's Disease Control Program began an investigation May 30. "This recent discovery of viable GWSS egg masses points to the continued importance of our GWSS exclusion and detection pro- grams," said Napa County Agricultural Com- missioner Greg Clark. "We will work with CDFA and counties throughout the state to ensure the effectiveness of the GWSS program and have Napa County inspectors remain vigilant inspecting plant shipments." The contaminated shipment originated from a north San Diego County broker-nurs- ery that is not located in a GWSS-infested area but may have included plants from other Southern California counties. The nursery shipped plants to 30 different retailers in 13 counties—most of them in Northern Califor- nia and a few in California's San Joaquin Val- ley. The compliance agreement issued to the particular nursery did not require the plants to be treated with an insecticide. Napa County wrote a notice of rejection for all of the plants delivered. The crape myrtles were picked up around 1:30 p.m. on May 22, Glassy-winged sharpshooter spreads Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce's disease. The Global Standard for Quality - US standard 1/2 bbl, 1/6 bbl, and tall 1/4 bbl - Innovative design and manufacturing processes - The only keg manufacturer with US keg service, repair, and rebranding facilities Kwik Kegs - US standard keg sizes ready to ship directly from stock - Order any keg size and quantity - Embossing and silk screening available for all sizes and quantities Mark Carpenter, Franke Beverage Systems, Inc., 166 Jefferson Pike, LaVergne, TN, 37086 Phone: 615.462.4334, Fax: 615.462.4734, Email: mark.carpenter@franke.com The world's leading provider of stainless steel beverage containers tOP stORY Grapevine Pests Discovered in Nursery Shipments JACK KELLy CLARK/UNIVERSITy OF CALIFORNIA