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Costco is warning customers who have recently bought a certain type of plant that they may bring home an invasive insect that can spread a disease that can harm or even kill other plants and trees without their knowledge.
The grocery giant issued a notice last week that desert willow plants sold between June 24 and July 3, 2026, may be infested with the glassy-winged sharpshooter.
“This invasive insect can spread dangerous plant diseases, including Pierce's disease, which can kill vines,” the notice said. “The pest can also damage orange trees, native plants and other plants. Early detection and a quick response are essential to prevent the pest from spreading further.”
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Costco has issued a warning about desert willows, like the one pictured above, recently sold in its warehouses. (Stock)
Pierce's disease is a bacterial disease that has long threatened California vineyards.
According to a 2025 report prepared by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the disease costs the state's grape and wine industry nearly $110 million a year, and officials estimate that loss could rise by another $56 million a year if the invasive pest becomes established statewide.
A glassy-winged sharpshooter sits on a leaf at Buena Biosystems in Santa Paula on June 13, 2002. (Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Researchers say the glassy-winged sharpshooter is particularly difficult to catch because it can fly a kilometer or more without stopping, allowing it to spread the disease among host plants.
Rather than returning the plants to the Costco warehouse, customers are instructed to keep them in their original containers, separate them from other plants and contact their county's agricultural commissioner's office.
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Agricultural inspectors may inspect the plant and nearby plants, and if the pest is found, officials will remove and dispose of the plant.
A customer browses vegetables at a Costco Wholesale Corp. store. in Naperville, Illinois, on May 23, 2016. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Costco also advises customers not to plant desert willow if they have not already done so, not to transport or transport it, and not to throw it away or put it in the compost bin. If possible, the company recommends sealing the plant inside two garbage bags until inspectors can inspect it.
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Although customers are being told not to return the plants to Costco, the retailer said it will issue full refunds to affected shoppers who present a notice at its warehouse.
The company apologized for the inconvenience, saying customer cooperation is important to help protect California agriculture from the spread of invasive pests.
