USDA-aphis is funding a stone fruit commodity survey to monitor for the presence of two exotic insects and one plant virus of stone fruit (peach, plum, apricot, nectarine) that cause significant…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $280,000 Cooperative Agreement to the New York State Agriculture & Markets on September 29, 2025, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care federal grant program (CFDA 10.025). The award funds a stone fruit commodity survey designed to detect the presence of two exotic insect pests and one plant virus affecting peach, plum, apricot, and nectarine crops in New York State. The survey will employ trap-and-lure methods and visual inspections to monitor for European Grapevine Moth, Plum Fruit Moth, and False Codling Moth across six stone fruit orchards and primary growing counties, while also conducting serological testing via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on approximately 18,500 plant tissue samples collected from orchards and border properties along the Niagara River to detect Plum Virus.

The deliverables include early detection and identification of economically significant exotic pests and pathogens that could threaten the U.S. and New York stone fruit industries, with Cornell University providing diagnostic laboratory services and insect identification support. All survey results—both positive and negative findings—will be reported to the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS) database. The project period extends through September 28, 2026, and is intended to benefit stone fruit producers, industry stakeholders, and agricultural regulatory agencies at state and federal levels.

Activities

Survey will be conducted using traps and lures when available, visual survey where not, and sampling of asymptomatic leaf tissue for plum POX virus. 12 traps for european grapevine moth placed in 6 stone fruit orchards. 12 traps for plum fruit moth placed in 6 stone fruit orchards. Survey via leaf sampling in properties along the border with ontario, canada (along niagara river) and orchards in niagara county. Plant tissue will be collected and tested by serological (ELISA) assays for the presence of plum POX virus. Approximately 18,500 tissue samples will be collected and analyzed for this virus. Insect traps and lures for false codling moth and plum fruit moth will be placed in the primary stone fruit growing counties in new york. Cornell will conduct ELISA assays and insect ID. Deliverables and expected outcomes: early detection of significant exotic insects that would have a detrimental impact on the new york stone fruit industry. Early detection of a significant plant virus that would have a detrimental impact on the stone fruit industry of the united states and new york. All survey results - positive and negative will be reported in napis. Intended beneficiary(IES): the stone fruit industry of the united states and new york. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a