Pierces disease

• Caused by a bacterium (Xylella fastidiosa) that lives in the water conducting system (xylem) of grapevines
• Grapevines show symptoms of water stress, such as leaf scorch, and the plant progressively weakens and dies
• Can be transmitted in infected propagation material and by leafhoppers such as the exotic Glassy-winged sharpshooter
• Present in North America, Central America and some regions of South America
• The diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa go by a range of names depending on the host species, including: Pierce’s disease, almond leaf scorch, bacterial leaf scorch, citrus variagated chlorosis, olive quick decline and olive leaf scorch.

For more information, please go to the Xylella fastidiosa pest page.