December 2023

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• Newest Issue of PD/GWSS Board Newsletter Now Online

• Now Accepting Research Funding Applications - Due Jan. 31

• Pierce’s Disease Advisory Task Force Welcomes New Member from Citrus Industry

Newest Issue of PD/GWSS Board Newsletter Now Online

In this issue:

• California Strengthens Defenses as Spotted Lanternfly Continues to Spread in Eastern States (page 1)

• On the Research Front (page 3)

• Identification of Grapevine Host Factors with Pro-Viral Activity to Target for Resistance Against Red Blotch Virus Through CRISPR Gene Editing

• Biology and Role of Treehoppers in Grapevine Red Blotch Disease with Emphasis on Tortistilus albidosparsus

• Using the Native Grapevine Immune System to Generate Pierce’s Disease-Resistant Grapevines

• Accelerating Research on Grapevine Viruses (page 4)

Now Accepting Research Funding Applications

The Pierce's Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board provides grant funding to research and outreach projects focused on protecting vineyards, preventing the spread of winegrape pests and diseases, and delivering practical and sustainable solutions.

Project proposals are due via online submission by Jan. 31, 2024. Award notifications will be announced in May 2024 for a July 2024 start.

After reviewing 31 proposals received during the 2023 request for proposals, the Board granted $2.7 million in new funding for 17 research projects investigating PD, grapevine viruses, and vectors over the next three years. The Board's research and outreach program, funded by the PD/GWSS winegrape grower assessment, has given 282 grants since 2001, with $42.5 million invested in PD and GWSS research and $12.4 million invested in research for other pests and diseases. 

New Pierce's Disease Advisory Task Force Member

The Pierce's Disease Advisory Task Force is pleased to introduce Casey Creamer, the president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual, as its newest member.

Creamer's involvement enriches the Task Force with a wealth of experience and a unique perspective, serving as a dedicated representative of the citrus industry. Through active participation in area-wide trapping and treatment and rigorous inspections of bulk citrus, the citrus industry stands as a proactive partner, contributing substantially to our shared commitment to mitigate the spread of this invasive pest.