KY FY24 Asian Defoliator Survey 1S.0118.

Asian Defoliator Abstract (426 words) Forests cover about half of Kentucky and, in addition to being ecologically important, are a major economic force in the state. A 2015 study estimated the economic impact of Kentucky’s state park system at $889 million. In addition to the tourism aspect of Kentucky’s forests, Kentucky’s forest and wood industry is extremely important to the state. Kentucky’s forest sector is estimated to have contributed over $13 billion to the state’s economy in 2021. When conducting this survey from FY19 to FY21, we focused on the firewood pathway and conducting this survey in forested parks that receive a high volume of out-of-state traffic. In 2022, we shifted to focus of the survey and primarily targeted the industrial/commercial pathway of introduction such as military bases, industrial areas, ports, commercial sites, rest areas, wood recycling facilities, and sites with shipping container movement. In 2024 we plan to focus primarily on the commercial/industrial pathway, but also include a few forested recreational areas with out-of-state traffic. This survey will target 5 moth pests of concern to Kentucky''s forests in terms of the ecology, the economic importance of the lumber industry, and the economic importance of tourism and the parks system. The five Lepidopteran pests are Asian Spongy Moth, Japanese Spongy Moth, Rosy Moth, Hokkaido Spongy Moth, and Casuarina Tussock Moth. Due to the pathways targeted by the survey, we will also conduct visual surveys for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) at each site. The moth target pests and SLF females lay eggs indiscriminately on many types of outdoor items which can then be accidentally moved by humans, so these pests can appear anytime in any location. Known SLF populations occur near Kentucky’s northern border in both Indiana and Ohio and can; therefore, also spread naturally into Kentucky without human assistance. To ensure excellent coverage statewide, six University of Kentucky employees will conduct this survey in 25 sites across the state. This is an increase from the number of sites surveyed in past years due to the constant threat of pest introduction. Surveyors will visit each location 5 times to set the traps, change the lures according to protocol, take moth samples, conduct a visual survey for SLF during each site visit, and remove the traps. Trap placement from spring 2024 to fall 2024 will encompass the life cycles of the target insects. The establishment of any of these pests would have large negative impacts on the state’s valuable forests. Accomplishment reports will be completed and submitted in the timeframe specified in the agreement and all data will be uploaded to the NAPIS database. Prior Experience We received PPA 7721 funding to conduct the Asian Defoliator Survey each year from FY19 to FY22. No target pests have been found. Below is a short summary from each year. • FY19, 20 forested parks in 17 counties targeting firewood pathway, 91 samples • FY20, 20 forested parks in 18 counties targeting firewood pathway, 93 samples • FY21, 20 forested parks in 18 counties targeting firewood pathway, 86 samples • FY22, 20 sites in 17 counties with the majority targeting the commercial/industrial pathway with a few forested sites targeting the firewood pathway, 40 samples In FY24, we plan to focus primarily on the commercial/industrial pathway, as described in the suggestion. We did not receive funding for this project in FY23. The FY22 final accomplishment report is uploaded. For every year of funding, we have submitted a midyear and final report outlining our accomplishments, demonstrating how much of the state was impacted by this survey and the number of samples collected. The State Survey Coordinator enters all survey data into NAPIS at the end of each survey season and updates survey results on the KY CAPS webpage (www.UnluckyForKentucky.com). Milestones May – September/October 2024: contact property owners (parks managers, managers of industrial properties, KY Dept of Transportation, etc) for permission to conduct survey, obtain supplies to conduct survey, survey activities conducted: traps set in May, traps monitored and lures changed monthly, visual surveys for SLF conducted during each site visit, traps removed in the fall, SSC will enter any positive survey results into NAPIS as soon as possible when detected November 2024: submit any remaining samples from the survey season, SSC prepares and submits midyear accomplishment report December 2024: final survey results received from Mississippi Entomological Museum, SSC enters all negative survey results into NAPIS January-April 2025: SSC prepares final accomplishment report, SSC updates survey results on the KY CAPS webpage (www.unluckyforkentucky.com). Weekly: The SSC will maintain a budget spreadsheet and will compare it to the University of Kentucky accounting system to ensure that funds are being allocated appropriately and time is charged correctly. The SSC will update an account list accessible to all employees working on this project to show funds remaining to be spent on supplies and travel. Frequently During Field Season: The SSC will be in constant communication with field and laboratory staff to ensure that the survey is progressing during the season and that samples are transported and received at the proper laboratory for further analysis. Throughout the Project: The SPHD, PSS, and SPRO will be notified immediately if any problems are encountered or if target insects are found during the survey.