The grape industry in California is experiencing an epidemic of Pierce's disease (PD) that has been chronologically linked with observed increases in numbers of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata (Say). This sharpshooter is an invasive species in California, and first was detected in the state in 1989. While considerable research is underway, there is a fundamental lack of understanding of the epidemiology of GWSS-transmitted PD in the state.
This paper will report on research that has been conducted in the wine grape-growing Temecula Valley and the table grape-growing Coachella Valley, both located in southern California. In Temecula, we determined that PD incidence is greater when grapes are grown adjacent citrus, an important host for GWSS. This has important implications for mitigating PD spread in this area. We currently are conducting similar work in the Coachella Valley, and the results from these studies will be presented.
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