Officials Spot Pest That Destroys Grapevines

This year's first glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation has been discovered in Santa Clara County, according to state agriculture officials. The bugs were found by county employees at a nursery and a residential area in Cupertino.

The sharpshooters are imported pests that can spread a bacterium that causes Pierce's disease in grapevines, threatening the state's $2.7-billion grape industry.

In the 11 years since they were first spotted in California, the insects have destroyed thousands of acres of vines in Southern California and in Kern County.