Pierce's disease (PD),
a lethal disease of grapevines, was originally know as 'Anaheim Disease's in the
1890's when it wiped out the vineyards in Anaheim and Cucamonga.
Caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa
it is spread by leafhoppers most notably the Glassy
Winged Sharpshooter. The disease is only known from North America through Central America
but has been
reported in parts of northwestern South America.
The disease is less prevalent where winter temperatures are
colder. It has been found in all southern states from Florida to California, Mexico and Central America.
Since the mid-1970s, many other strains of Xylella fastidiosa have been
discovered, and almost all of these cause leaf scorching of woody perennials
such as American elm, maple, mulberry, or plum. In some plants, the bacterium slows and stunts plant's growth
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The Wine Guide
