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For Immediate Release
May 31, 2000
CDFA00-024		 Contact: Steve Lyle
                Larry Cooper
                916/654-0462

SCIENCE ADVISORY PANEL APPOINTED TO HELP FIGHT GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER
Panel of Experts to Assist with Action Plan

SACRAMENTO - A team of six scientists has been named to a glassy-winged sharpshooter science advisory panel by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary William J. (Bill) Lyons Jr.


"The panel will be a valuable resource as we work with local agencies to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter," said Lyons. "These scientists will help us formulate and finalize an action plan ."

The science advisory panel will initially work on the infestation of glassy-winged sharpshooters in the community of Porterville, in Tulare County, and will be available for future consultations as needed.

The members are:

Dr. Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell

Dr. Grafton-Cardwell is an entomologist specializing in integrated pest management at U.C. Riverside. She has conducted extensive research on the control of the glassy-winged sharpshooter.
Dr. Alex Purcell
Dr. Purcell is a professor of entomology at U.C. Berkeley with extensive experience in glassy-winged sharpshooter biology, and expertise in other insect carriers of the bacteria which cause Pierce's Disease.
Dr. Russell Mizell
Dr. Mizell is a professor of entomology at the University of Florida. He has broad experience with glassy-winged sharpshooter life history and control strategies.
Dr. Phil Phillips
Dr. Phillips is an entomologist for the U.C. Riverside Extension Service. He has monitored populations of the glassy-winged sharpshooter since 1990. He has conducted extensive research on how the insect affects citrus, and he also has a research background in control strategies.
Dr. Rick Redak
Dr. Redak is a professor of entomology at U.C. Riverside with expertise in integrated pest management.
Dr. Bill Peacock
Dr. Peacock is a farm advisor for Tulare County, specializing in viticulture. He is widely recognized for his expertise in vineyard management.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a carrier of Pierce's Disease, which infects and kills grapevines and other plants. Counties known to be infested with the disease include Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, Orange, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Tulare and Kern.

Earlier this month, Governor Gray Davis signed legislation providing $6.9 million in the fight against the glassy-winged sharpshooter. An additional $6.9 million is anticipated in the budget for the 2000-'01 fiscal year. Also, the Governor has aggressively pursued federal assistance, leading to passage of a bill in Congress last week that would provide another $7.14 million. The Governor has also asked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to make additional emergency funds available.

 
For more information, visit the CDFA's glassy-winged sharpshooter web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/gwss.

 
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, California  95814