This award will provide funds to clemson department of plant industry (DPI) to respond to the new infestation of spotted lanternfly (lycorma delicatula) found in south carolina in july 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded Clemson University's Department of Plant Industry a $222,676 cooperative agreement (CFDA 10.025: Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, to respond to the first detection of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in South Carolina, identified in July 2025 near rail yards in the Greenville and Seneca areas. Under this agreement, Clemson will deliver delimitation and detection surveys to determine the extent of infestation across the state, implement a compliance agreement program for nursery stock establishments to prevent intrastate and interstate spread while preserving economic trade continuity, conduct stakeholder outreach, and execute targeted chemical treatments and egg scraping mitigation activities through contracted licensed pesticide applicators.

The primary deliverables include comprehensive delimitation mapping of the SLF infestation, chemical and mechanical mitigation results, and a fully operationalized compliance program for nursery, orchard, and grape industry establishments. The intended beneficiaries encompass South Carolina's nursery, orchard, and grape industries, along with the general public. No subrecipient activities were specified at the time of award.

Activities

Clemson DPI will perform delimitation and detection survey to determine the extend of infestation in south carolina, focusing on the greenville, SC and seneca, SC areas where SLF was first detected near a rail yard. Clemson will also implement a compliance agreement for establishments that sell nursery stock to prevent SLF spread intra and inter-state, while allowing SC trade and economic production to continue uninterrupted. Clemson will also provide outreach to relevant stakeholders and conduct targeted treatments in limited areas, utilizing contracted licensed pesticide applicators. Deliverables and expected outcomes: delimitation of SLF infestation in the state, mitigation via chemical treatments and EGG scraping, and implementation of a compliance program. Intended beneficiary(IES): nursery, orchard, and grape industries throughout south carolina, and the general public. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none.