Bruce Kirkpatrick, an associate professor of plant pathology, and Andy Walker, an associate professor of viticulture, are both members of the University of California statewide task force addressing the problem of the glassy-winged sharpshooter and Pierce's disease. The glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata) is a serious new agricultural pest in California, which can transmit Pierce's disease to grapevines, and other diseases to almond trees, alfalfa, citrus and oleanders. Pierce's disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, poses a serious threat to California's wine and table-grape industry. Kirkpatrick can explain how Pierce's disease affects crops and Walker can discuss research efforts to breed grapevines that are resistant to Pierce's disease. Kirkpatrick can be reached on campus at (530) 752-2831, bckirkpatrick@ucdavis.edu and Walker can be reached on campus at (530) 752-0902, awalker@ucdavis.edu. (Walker will be away from campus the week of July 24.)