Glassy-winged sharpshooter
Homalodisca vitripennis
Glassy-winged sharpshooter
Homalodisca coagulata
This pest is NOT in New Zealand. This pest is a Notifiable Organism.
Report any sightings to hotline, ph 0800 809 966.
General Information
The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) is a large leaf-hopping insect; mostly brown and around 14mm in size. They are superb fliers and able to spread diseases over long distances.
In the United States the insect is a major carrier Xylella fastidiosa the causal agent of Pierce's disease of grapevines in California, Florida and Georgia. It is also found in northern Mexico, the southern states of the USA (including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina and Texas), and southern and central California.
The long distance spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter is through the movement of infested plant material. The insect lays its eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs and young nymphs are difficult to detect. Local spread occurs because of the insect's strong flying ability and wide host range.
Little direct economic loss has been reported because of the effects of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The insect is primarily of concern because its establishment in New Zealand would mean the presence of a vector capable of spreading Pierce's disease and diseases caused by other strains of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter could potentially carry these organisms into the country. This pest has a very large host range including many plant species that occur in New Zealand.
Factsheet
- Glassy-winged Sharpshooter
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Useful Resources
Page last updated: 12 June 2008