Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Citrus glassy-winged sharpshooter (269)

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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, et al. (2019) Glassy-winged sharpshooter. University of California Statewide IPM Program. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7492.html); and from Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC). Xyllela fastidiosa Well et al. USDA, University of Florida. (http://idtools.org/id/citrus/diseases/factsheet.php?name=Citrus+variegated+chlorosis+%28CVC%29); and from CABI (2015) Homalodisca vitripennis (glassy winged sharpshooter) Crop Protection Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/27561). 

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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