Introduced parasitic wasps could control glassy-winged sharpshooter

Abstract

The glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS; Homalodisca coagulata) is an introduced pest that spreads the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes a variety of diseases, such as Pierce's disease in grapevines and leaf scorch in oleanders. GWSS has been established in southern California since approximately 1990 and has also successfully invaded French Polynesia, Hawaii and Easter Island. Researchers from UC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture have introduced parasitic wasps for the biological control of GWSS. Four parasitoids from the southeastern United States have been released. These parasitoids appear to be establishing in southern California. Parasitoids from Argentina are also being evaluated in quarantine, but these parasitoids have not yet been released.