The Pierce’s Disease/Glassywinged-Sharpshooter Board of Directors in mid-August voted to fund a research project on potential shifts in the disease’s epidemiology.

According to the board, the research project was proposed due to the apparent resurgence of Pierce's disease on California’s North Coast with distribution patterns previously unseen. The board believes it is important to look for any new conditions or vectors which could contribute to the recent outbreak.

The project funding request was submitted by University of California, Berkeley Associate Professor Rodrigo Almeida.

The project will look at factors driving the increases of Pierce’s disease in Napa and Sonoma counties so that ecology-based disease management strategies can be devised and implemented.

The research proposal was endorsed by the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's Office and the Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District.

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