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Pacific Pests & Pathogens - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Citrus glassy-winged sharpshooter (269)

Photo 1. Adult glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis. The adults are 10-12 mm long.

Photo 2. Side view of adult glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis.

Photo 3. Difference in size of fruit infected with citrus variegated chlorosis, Xylella fastidiosa, (left) and healthy fruit (right).

Summary

Widespread distribution. North, South, Central America, Oceania. On citrus, almond, avocado, grape, peach, olive, and more. An important pest.
The leafhopper spreads a bacterium (Xylella).
Eggs laid in leaves covered in white powder. Adults and nymphs feed on sap, excreted as “leafhopper rain”. Adults, cigar-shaped, 12-14 mm, dark above and light below. Spread by flight, and in nursery trade.
Biosecurity: a major concern because of its restricted distribution, and it spread important diseases.
Natural enemies: introduction of wasp parasitoids is the primary control method.
Cultural control: none recommended.
Chemical control: white and horticultural oils and soaps are used; imidacloprid applied either as a foliar spray or to the soil. Soil application lasts longer and does less harm to wasp parasitoids.

Common Name

Citrus glassy-winged sharpshooter

Scientific Name

Homalodisca vitripennis; previously, it was known as Homalodisca coagulata.

AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
 Information from Varela LG, Hashim-Buckey JM, Wilen CA, Phillips PA (2014) Pest Notes: glassy-winged sharpshooter. Produced by IPM Education and Publications, University of California Statewide IPM Program.(http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7492.html); and from Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). USDA, University of Florida, Lucid. (http://idtools.org/id/citrus/diseases/index.php); and from CABI (2015) Homalodisca vitripennis (glassy winged sharpshooter) Crop Protection Compendium. (www.cabi.org/cpc).   Photo 1 Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org. Photo 2 Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. Photo 3 Alexander Purcell, University of California, Bugwood.org.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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