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PPQ 2022 Annual Report

Pest Detection

Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey ...................................................................................................................... 2

Proactive Approach to Pest Detection..................................................................................................................... 3

Canine Detection and Surveillance .......................................................................................................................... 3

 

Introduction 

The goal of the Pest Detection Program is to document the presence or absence of plant pests and 

diseases of Federal regulatory significance in the United States. This documented information is the 

basis of regulatory efforts and pest management programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant 

Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. This work preserves economic opportunities for farmers (i.e., 

interstate commerce and international trade) and safeguards U.S. agricultural and natural resources. The 

program collaborates with Federal agencies, State departments of agriculture, Tribes, academic 

institutions, and industry partners in all 50 States and several U.S. Territories to conduct program 

activities.

 

 
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Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey 

PPQ and its State cooperators carry out plant pest surveys through the Cooperative Agricultural Pest 

Survey (CAPS) program. PPQ provides national coordination for the program and develops policies and 

procedures for surveys. In addition, the program funds survey coordinator positions in each State as part 

of the personnel infrastructure necessary to ensure early detection of phytosanitary pests and diseases of 

concern. The program enables PPQ and cooperators to target high-risk hosts and commodities, gather 

data about pests specific to a commodity, and provide information of pest distribution, including pestfree areas.

Early pest detection is important to avert economic and environmental damage. In addition to lost farm 

revenues and damage to ecosystems, the mitigation costs can reach millions of dollars once a pest 

becomes established or spreads significantly. While many entities are involved in protecting crops and 

resources, PPQ verifies that U.S. products do not pose risks to other countries. Pest surveys conducted 

through the CAPS program demonstrate absence of a pest and are used in some cases to address 

importing countries’ phytosanitary requirements and retain access to foreign markets. 

In FY 2022, PPQ and cooperators in 50 States and 4 Territories conducted a total of 326 early pest 

detection surveys, targeting more than 97 percent of the high-risk plant pests and diseases identified for 

FY 2022 surveys. Through the Pest Detection program, PPQ also funded a network of approximately 49 

State Survey Coordinators that assisted States. PPQ confirmed at least 7 pests new to the United States.

The program is evaluating and responding to about 50 pests identified during FY 2022 surveys and prior 

years including old world bollworm, golden twin-spot moth, and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. 

Evaluating these detections allows PPQ and State officials to determine whether regulatory or mitigation 

measures are necessary to manage the potential impacts of the pests or diseases. In FY 2022, the 
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program exceeded its target of detecting 90 percent of the 104 high-risk pests before they spread to new 

areas. All pests were localized at the time they were detected. 

In addition to providing data for determining when pest response activities are needed in the United 

States, PPQ uses the data showing that many high-risk pests are not present to support U.S. farmers’ 

access to export markets. In FY 2022, PPQ used the data in bilateral trade discussions, pest risks 

assessments supporting U.S. exports, and issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

Proactive Approach to Pest Detection 

In addition to the annual surveys and detected pests, the Pest Detection program coordinates 

development of survey tools for high-risk pests with PPQ scientists. For example, in FY 2022 PPQ

developed climate suitability maps to help State cooperators target survey efforts for 10 pests of 

concern. In consultation with stakeholders, PPQ determined eight pests do not require regulatory 

measures and the regulatory pest status changed from quarantine to non-quarantine; these pests include: 

Agriotes lineatus, Batocera rufomaculata, Clepsis spectrana, Colletotrichum phormii, Ctenarytaina 

spatulata, Lachnopus curvipes, Megalurothrips usitatus, and Thaumastocoris peregrinus. 

Canine Detection and Surveillance 

PPQ continued developing the use of canines for pest surveillance efforts in FY 2022, focusing on SLF, 

Japanese beetle, and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in FY 2022. PPQ provided funding to Auburn 

University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Canine Production Sciences program for the projects. 

Through the agreement, Auburn will continue developing the use of canine detectors for SLF early 
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detection efforts. Auburn will also continue testing the use of canines to detect Japanese beetle larvae as 

part of an effort to prevent the pest from becoming established in Oregon and to detect frass left by ALB 

to enhance ALB detection efforts. The program also provided a portion of the funding for ongoing 

support of the ACP-focused canine teams in California and the mollusk and parcel inspection teams in 

Florida.