Costco is asking CA customers to separate plants with invasive pests – again
Costco has issued a warning to customers who bought a particular flowering tree in its stores that it may be affected by an invasive insect that state officials say could “cause significant damage to the environment and the economy,” especially the country's $73 billion wine industry.
Costco customers who purchased desert willow in certain areas of California from June 24 to July 3 are asked to try to isolate this plant and immediately contact their state agriculture commissioner's office to reduce the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, which can be harmful to vines and cause significant damage to many other plants. The same invasive pest was found in grape vines sold at Northern California Costco warehouses earlier this year, prompting a massive response to try to limit the pest's impact.
The latest attack is on the desert vine sold at Costco, a small tree or shrub with trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in pink, lavender, and white.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a large leafhopper that is native to parts of North America, including northeastern Mexico, but is endemic to California. While feeding on plant sap, it can spread the bacteria that causes Pierce's disease, which kills vines and has threatened California vineyards, according to the University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. The pest can also damage citrus trees, native plants and other crops, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
“Early detection and rapid response are critical to preventing pests from spreading,” the agency wrote in its warning about the Costco plant infestation.
California officials first recognized the threat of glassy-winged archers in 1999, when a large outbreak of Pierce's disease in the Temecula Valley destroyed more than 300 acres of vineyards, the agency said.
Since the two confirmed cases, California officials have been working to destroy affected plants still in Costco warehouses while reaching out to the public to find plants sold with the virus — including door-to-door work in Santa Clara County to try to track down infested vines.
Overstocked grapes were shipped from Fresno to Costco warehouses in 24 Northern California counties in April and May, state officials said. Complete willow plants were sold in 15 states, mostly across Southern and Central California between June 24 and July 3.
Customers who have purchased plants should have been notified by the wholesaler. They tell buyers to divide the plant immediately, keep it in the original pot away from other plants and out of the trash or compost. Ideally, officials have asked customers to put the plant inside two garbage bags and keep them closed, and immediately contact their country's agricultural commissioner's office for further instructions.
The letter also asked customers not to return their plants to Costco, but said they could present a letter about the invasive insect for a full refund.
