Pest profile

Glassy-winged Sharpshooter

Homalodisca vitripennis (formerly H. coagulata) · Hemiptera: Cicadellidae[2]

The glassy-winged sharpshooter itself does little feeding damage; the problem is that it spreads Xylella fastidiosa, which causes incurable diseases such as Pierce's disease and oleander leaf scorch.[1]

Glassy-winged sharpshooter seen from the side, a large dark brown leafhopper with ivory spots and white chalky patches on its wings, on a stem
Glassy-winged sharpshooter seen from the side, a large dark brown leafhopper with ivory spots and white chalky patches on its wings, on a stem. (c) cesar stastny, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are large leafhoppers about 1/2 inch long, dark brown to black from above and the side, with a whitish or yellow abdomen.[1]
  • The head is brown to black with many ivory to yellowish spots.[1]
  • Females carry chalky white spots on their wings shortly before laying eggs.[1]
  • Nymphs are smaller, wingless and olive-gray with bulging eyes.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Smoke-tree sharpshooterThis native desert relative has wavy light lines on its head instead of spots.[1]

Where it lives

Native to the southeastern U.S., it reached Southern California around the late 1980s and is established there and in parts of the San Joaquin Valley.[1]

US map: public records from 12 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Females lay masses of 8 to 12 eggs under the skin of the lower leaf surface, leaving brown scars after hatching.[1]

In Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley there are typically two generations a year; adults overwinter on citrus and other evergreen plants.[1]

It feeds on hundreds of plant species, including citrus, avocado, crape myrtle, grape, photinia, pittosporum and some roses.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Heavy populations spray watery excrement that whitewashes leaves, fruit and parked cars, and can wilt small plants in heat.[1]
  • Once an adult picks up Xylella fastidiosa it stays infective for life; infected plants can't be cured.[1]

Health risk

It feeds only on plant xylem; UC IPM describes no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Help slow its spread by not moving host plants out of infested areas.[1]

Biological control

Home management relies on natural enemies, so avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill them.[1]

When to call a professional

If you find one where it isn't established in California, call the CDFA pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or your county agricultural commissioner.[1]

Common questions

Why are my car and patio covered with white spots under a tree?
Large glassy-winged sharpshooter populations excrete liquid that dries white on leaves, fruit and cars.[1]
Where do I look for them?
Check about 6 inches to a foot back from new shoot tips; they hide by circling to the far side of the twig.[1]

Sources

  1. University of California Statewide IPM Program, “Pest Notes: Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Publication 7492).” ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7492.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Homalodisca vitripennis taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/199381 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.