Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS)
The Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) is a highly mobile, xylem-feeding insect and a primary vector of Pierce’s Disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. Native to the southeastern United States, GWSS has spread to multiple grape-growing regions, where it poses a significant threat to vineyards. By feeding on infected plants, the sharpshooter acquires the bacterium and transmits it to healthy vines, facilitating rapid disease spread. GWSS is highly adaptable, feeding on a wide range of host plants, which complicates control efforts. Effective management relies on monitoring populations, implementing biological or chemical controls, and establishing buffer zones or “green barriers” to limit movement into vulnerable vineyards. Understanding the biology and behavior of GWSS is critical for mitigating Pierce’s Disease outbreaks and protecting grapevine health.