# Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) > A large, day-active leafhopper that feeds on xylem sap and spreads the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, responsible for serious crop diseases. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/glassy-winged-sharpshooter/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Glassy-winged sharpshooters do not bite or sting people and are not toxic. They may occasionally hop onto people but cause no direct harm. The main human concern is economic: they transmit Xylella fastidiosa, which damages crops. **Pets:** Not dangerous to pets. No known direct toxicity or biting risk to cats, dogs or other household animals. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Homalodisca vitripennis - Also called: GWSS - Order: Hemiptera (True bugs) - Family: Cicadellidae (Leafhoppers) - Size: About 12-14 mm long - Colours: Brown, Olive green, Cream, Translucent (wing venation visible) - Habitat: Edge habitats, riparian zones, orchards, vineyards, gardens and landscaped areas where host plants are available - Range: Native to the southeastern USA and northeastern Mexico; invasive in California and introduced to Hawaii, French Polynesia and several other Pacific islands - Active: Warm months (spring through fall in temperate regions), diurnal (active during daylight) - Lifespan: Several weeks to a few months for adults depending on climate and season - Effect on plants: Disease vector - Pest: yes ## Overview Homalodisca vitripennis, commonly called the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), is a relatively large leafhopper native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico and now established in parts of California and other regions through accidental human transport. Adults are active during warm months and feed on xylem sap from a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. While the insect itself is harmless to people, it is a major agricultural pest because it efficiently acquires and transmits the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes diseases such as Pierce's disease in grapevines and leaf scorch in many ornamental and crop plants. The species is polyphagous (feeds from many host plants), has multiple generations per year in warm climates, and lays eggs in masses inserted into plant tissue. Natural enemies, including egg parasitoid wasps, predators and entomopathogenic fungi, can reduce populations but are often insufficient where the insect is invasive. Management focuses on monitoring, cultural controls, biological control agents, and targeted insecticide use when necessary to protect high-value crops. ## How to identify it Adults are stout, about 12-14 mm long, with a broad head and translucent forewings with reddish veins that give a glassy look. The body is dark brown to nearly black, with ivory to yellowish spots on the head and thorax. The wings extend beyond the abdomen when at rest. Nymphs are wingless when young, pale grey to olive, and become larger through instars; older nymphs develop wing pads. Eggs are laid in rows inside plant tissue, and females often cover the egg site with white chalky particles (brochosomes) carried on their forewings. - Large leafhopper 12-20 mm long with broad translucent forewings that extend beyond the abdomen - Overall brown to olive body with subtle blue-green sheen and darker head/pronotum markings - When disturbed, adults jump strongly and fly; nymphs are wingless and smaller with pale to greenish coloration - Egg masses are inserted into plant tissue in overlapping rows ## Lookalikes - **Green sharpshooter** (Draeculacephala spp.): Green sharpshooters are usually smaller, uniformly brighter green, and have different wing venation; GWSS is larger with broader, more translucent wings and a characteristic body shape. - **Blue-green sharpshooter** (Graphocephala atropunctata): Much smaller (about 6-7 mm) and bright blue-green to green; also a vector of Xylella in California, but lacks the dark, spotted body and large glassy wings of GWSS. - **Smoke-tree sharpshooter** (Homalodisca liturata): Close relative native to the southwestern USA; very similar in size and shape but with more extensive pale wavy markings on the head and thorax. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Eggs are laid in masses inserted into plant tissue, often in rows beneath the leaf surface. Eggs hatch in about 1-3 weeks depending on temperature. - **Nymph:** Several nymphal instars are wingless and feed actively on xylem sap. Nymphs develop over several weeks, growing rapidly in warm conditions. - **Adult:** Adults have fully formed wings, disperse by flying and hopping, and transmit Xylella fastidiosa between plants while feeding. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Xylem sap from a wide variety of host plants - Adults eat: Xylem sap from many woody and herbaceous plants; adults may move between hosts frequently - Predators of the young: Predatory insects, spiders, birds and egg parasitoid wasps (e.g., Gonatocerus spp.) - Predators of adults: Birds, predatory insects, spiders and entomopathogenic fungi ## Effect on plants and gardens Feeds on xylem sap from many plants (grapevines, citrus, oleander, palms, oaks and many ornamentals). Direct feeding can cause minor stress, but the major impact is transmitting Xylella fastidiosa, which causes severe diseases like Pierce's disease in grapes and leaf scorch in ornamentals and shade trees. ### How to get rid of it Integrated approaches work best: monitor with yellow sticky traps and visual inspection; remove or manage preferred host plants near vineyards and orchards (e.g., weedy growth and ornamentals like oleander); conserve or introduce natural enemies (egg parasitoid wasps such as Gonatocerus spp.); use targeted insecticides or systemic treatments when economic thresholds are reached; and implement quarantine and sanitation to limit spread. Follow local agricultural guidelines for chemical and biological controls. ## Where and when to find it Adults on leaves and stems of host plants (oleander, citrus, grapevines, oaks, ornamentals). Look for nymphs on the underside of leaves and egg masses inserted into stems or leaf petioles. - Best time: Warm months (spring to fall); adults are active during daylight hours. - Tips: Use a yellow sticky trap to monitor adults. Photograph broad views showing the whole insect and wing venation; note the host plant for identification and management decisions. ## Fun facts - Despite the name 'glassy-winged', the wings are translucent and show visible veins, giving a glass-like look. - GWSS was accidentally introduced to California and became a major concern because it spread Xylella fastidiosa to vineyards. - Scientists use egg parasitoid wasps (Gonatocerus species) as classical biological control agents against GWSS. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are glassy-winged sharpshooters dangerous to humans? No. They do not bite or sting people and are not poisonous. Their importance is as plant disease vectors, not a direct threat to human health. ### Do glassy-winged sharpshooters bite? No. They feed on plant sap and do not attempt to bite humans. ### Why is a glassy-winged sharpshooter in my yard or houseplants? They are attracted to many ornamental and native plants where they feed. Warm-season activity and nearby host plants (oleander, citrus, grape, oaks) increase the chance you'll see them on garden plants or potted specimens. ### How can I get rid of glassy-winged sharpshooters? Use integrated management: inspect and remove heavily infested plants, reduce nearby weed and ornamental hosts, monitor with sticky traps, encourage natural enemies, and apply targeted insecticides only when necessary following local agricultural advice. ### Do glassy-winged sharpshooters damage grapevines? Yes. They are efficient vectors of Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in grapevines and can kill vines or severely reduce yields. ### Can I control them biologically? Yes. Egg parasitoid wasps (Gonatocerus spp.) and other natural enemies have been used successfully in integrated programs to reduce populations. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/199381), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glassy-winged_sharpshooter). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.