KY FY23 Spongy Moth Detection

FY23 Spongy Moth Survey Abstract Spongy moth is a serious forest pest endemic to the northeastern states. Kentucky is nearly surrounded by regulated, infested areas in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and eastern Tennessee. The possibility of spongy moth spread to Kentucky is very high due to the popularity of Kentucky’s recreational areas and the number of people moving into the metropolitan areas from the northeast. Our survey will cover as much of the state as possible because of the close proximity of spongy moth present in states surrounding Kentucky on all sides. The Cooperator will hire independent contractors as well as University of Kentucky Temporary Technician employees to perform a detection survey in wooded areas across Kentucky according to national protocol. Personnel from the University of Kentucky will train and supervise the surveyors. These surveyors will set and remove approximately 4,824 Delta traps (total set by independent contractors [4,440 traps] plus those set by university temporary technician employees [384 traps]). Surveyors will also set up to an additional 178 delimit traps in areas where spongy moth was trapped during last year’s survey. Surveyors will be paid $28 per trap ($14 to set the trap and $14 to remove it). Traps and lure will be provided by PPQ.