Pierce's Disease
Research Updates

piercesdisease.cdfa.ca.gov

What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce's Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

glassy-winged sharpshooter

Validity of Homalodisca and of H-vitripennis as the name for glassy-winged sharpshooter (Hemiptera : Cicadellidae : Cicadellinae)


  • Author(s): Cavichioli, R.; McKamey, Stuart; Takiya, Daniela;
  • Abstract: A male of Tettigonia vitripennis Germar-deposited in the recently rediscovered Germar Hemiptera collection, in the Ivan Franko National University (Ukraine)-is designated as the lectotype and assumed to be erroneously labeled as from Brazil. Homalodisca vitripennis is considered a senior synonym of Tettigonia coagulata syn, nov. and therefore should be used as the scientific name for the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a major vector of the bacterial Pierces disease of grapes, phony peach disease, plum leaf scald, and oleander leaf scorch in southern United States and northern Mexico. The previously designated type species of Homalodisca Stal, Cicada triquetra F., was found to be mistaken by Stal for C. triangularis F., which is herein fixed as the new type species of this economically important genus. Propetes triquetra comb. nov., previously known only from an unknown locality in South America, is newly recorded from Brazil (Mato Grosso and Pard states).
  • Publication Date: Jul 2006
  • Journal: Annals Of The Entomological Society Of America