USDA Area-Wide Pierce's Disease Treatment Programs


Sacramento, Calif., (October 1, 2009) – Area-wide treatment programs for GWSS in Kern and Tulare Counties continued in 2009. Population levels in Kern County were up significantly this year, with the majority of GWSS being trapped in the General Beale area. Tulare County also saw an increase in GWSS trapped as compared to 2008 totals, but numbers are still significantly lower than population levels early on in the program.

Kern County
Area-wide GWSS treatments in 2009 covered 4,153 acres in Kern County. The General Beale area continues to be a locale of concern where a variety of elements combined to hamper effective treatments. The total number of GWSS trapped in Kern County to date is 23,828 but of that, 23,317 were from the General Beale area alone (11,164 in windbreak traps + 12,153 in other host traps). This is still significantly lower than the 2001 total of 140,000 GWSS trapped.

Tulare County
Area-wide treatments authorized in citrus in Tulare County in 2009 have totaled 7,145 acres so far. The majority of treatments authorized have been systemic applications of imidacloprid (5,570 acres), followed by foliar treatments of organic citrus acreage (1,393 acres). The total number of GWSS trapped in Tulare County to date is 1,542. This is increased slightly from 2008 when 1,396 GWSS were trapped, but is still significantly lower than the 2003 total of 48,639 GWSS trapped.

Marin County
On Wednesday, August 12, 2009, Marin County found an adult glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in a trap at a garden center in San Rafael. Marin County conducted a visual survey of the area and placed delimitation traps. On Monday, August 17, PDCP staff assisted Marin County with the completion of the visual survey around the find. No additional GWSS were detected.

San Luis Obispo County
On Monday, August 3, 2009, San Luis Obispo (SLO) County found a GWSS adult in a trap at a garden center in Atascadero. A visual survey of the area and placement of delimitation traps started on Tuesday, August 4. PDCP staff assisted SLO County with a visual survey of the surrounding area. No additional GWSS were detected.

Santa Clara County
For the week of July 27 - 31, Santa Clara County detected four GWSS in the Capitol infested area. All four GWSS were inside the Capitol regulated area. However, two of the four were just outside the Capitol treatment area. The county treated 168 condominium spaces and part of a commercial property with imidacloprid as a foliar spray and a drench on the landscape host plants.

Sacramento County
On Thursday, August 6, 2009, Sacramento County found an adult GWSS in a trap at a garden center in Sacramento. Sacramento County placed delimitation traps and started a visual survey on Friday August 7. No additional GWSS were detected.

Fresno County
The Pierce's Disease Control Program is working closely with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner's Office to prepare a new strategy for conducting treatments against GWSS in the infested urban/residential areas of the county.

As of September 4, 2009, GWSS presence is limited to 13 of California's 58 counties.

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