Provide support for colorado state university (CSU) scientists and technicians conducting molecular diagnostics development and screening in the USDA-aphis-PPQ-s & t pest identification technology…

Provide support for colorado state university (CSU) scientists and technicians conducting molecular diagnostics development and screening in the USDA-aphis-PPQ-s & t pest identification technology laboratory (pitl). Since 2014, the molecular laboratory at pitl has provided the following services to PPQ with on-site cooperators funded through cooperative agreements with CSU: completed genome sequencing and discovery of species-specific markers for assay development; developed rapid molecular diagnostic assays using real-time PCR or similar technologies that are used for species identification; developed digital PCR assays that can be used for mass screening of trap samples; screened trap samples from domestic surveys to identify target pest species; and identified plant pests intercepted at U.S. Ports of entry. Molecular development at pitl focuses on invasive plant and pollinator pests, especially in the orders lepidoptera, coleoptera, and hymenoptera as well as other plant pests as needed. This agreement will allow research on molecular diagnostics and screening of invasive plant pests to continue, reducing the likelihood of their establishment in the U.S. Scientific products and services provided by pitl directly benefit PPQ's cooperative agricultural pest survey (caps) program, PPQ pest detection surveys, plant protection act section 7721 (PPA 7721) goal 1 surveys, and PPQ's agricultural quarantine inspection (AQI) program.