Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter



Adult GWSS next to egg mass

Leafhoppers are expected to be most abundant in areas where there is a diversity of summer and winter hosts. Although high leafhopper populations occur on citrus during the summer, adults are found and reproduce on a number of common ornamental and native plants including crape myrtle, ash, eucalyptus, hibiscus, tree tobacco, sycamore and oak.

Seasonal movements between hosts is not well documented outside southern California. Favored overwintering sites in urban southern coastal regions are deciduous types or Prunus, especially peach and apricots, and oleander. We need your help to determine the full extent of this insect’s distribution in California. If you find insects matching the above description or suspect damage, please notify your local county agriculture commissioner or call the CDFA hotline at 1-800-491-1899. Insects may be placed in rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) in glass or plastic vials for identification. Please note where and when they were collected, and on which host they were found.

Next page