Creating Green Barriers to Halt Pierce’s Disease Spread
One promising strategy to reduce the spread of Pierce’s Disease is the use of green barriers, which are strategically planted vegetation zones designed to disrupt the movement of xylem-feeding insects such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis). These barriers act as physical and ecological buffers, limiting the ability of vectors to reach susceptible grapevines. By carefully selecting plant species that are less attractive or non-hosts to sharpshooters, vineyards can reduce vector populations while enhancing biodiversity. In addition to slowing disease transmission, green barriers provide environmental benefits such as soil stabilization, improved pollinator habitats, and microclimate regulation, making them a sustainable and multi-functional approach to managing Pierce’s Disease.