Agricultural officials in Northern California have issued an urgent warning after an invasive, plant-killing insect was discovered on grapevines and citrus plants sold at local Costco stores.
The insect, known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, carries a bacterial disease that can destroy entire vineyards. Inspectors found it on plant shipments across 10 counties, including Sacramento, Napa and Solano.
Sacramento County officials said the affected grapevines came from Burchell Nursery in Fresno County and went out to Costco stores between April 21 and May 21.
Inspectors in Sacramento County have already found and destroyed 160 grapevines at local Costco locations, but hundreds of potentially infested plants remain unaccounted for after being purchased by customers at the Marysville and Sacramento stores.
The primary concern for agricultural authorities is the insect’s ability to spread Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection that kills grapevines and threatens other plants.
“GWSS can also damage almond, citrus and ornamental plants,” Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chrisandra Flores said in a statement. “The County has been vigilant in preventing this pest from becoming established, to date. It is imperative that the community pull together to help us limit the risk to our local vineyards and agriculture.”
Agriculture officials have issued an urgent protocol for anyone who purchased grapevines or other Burchell Nursery plants from Costco between April 21 and May 21. Residents are instructed to keep the plant isolated in its original pot or container and must not plant the grapevine or tree if they have not already done so. If possible, the plants should be placed inside two secured trash bags — one inside the other — and sealed tightly to prevent any insects from escaping.
Officials explicitly warned consumers not to return, transport or relocate the plants, and cautioned that they should not be placed in regular trash or compost bins, which could spread the infestation.
Instead, residents are being asked to immediately contact the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 916-875-6603 or via email at agcomm@saccounty.gov. Once contacted, an agricultural inspector will be dispatched the same day to examine the grapevine, fruit trees and any nearby host plants. As a further precautionary measure, inspectors may also place monitoring traps for the insects on the property.
Costco is currently working to directly contact members who purchased plants within the sales window, and county officials stated the retailer has been a cooperative partner in the effort.
The Independent has contacted Costco for comment.
