The objective of this project is to conduct surveys, along the texas gulf coast in the counties of, montgomery, harris, fort bend, brazoria and galveston

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service received a $127,189 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), awarded September 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for August 31, 2026. The project conducts intensive detection surveys and laboratory testing for exotic citrus arthropod pests, citrus diseases, and their vectors across five Texas Gulf Coast counties—Montgomery, Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Galveston—as well as in high-risk urban areas including Houston and the East Coast of Texas. Monthly statewide surveys supplement targeted detection efforts in commercial citrus orchards and dooryard trees to identify infestations early and prevent negative impacts on Texas citrus production sustainability.

Deliverables include semi-annual and final performance and financial reports, diagnostic reports, and comprehensive data and results documentation from the commodity survey. The surveillance work directly supports APHIS's mission and provides early detection capabilities to enable rapid response in protecting the Texas citrus industry and other citrus-producing states. Beneficiaries include the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Corporation, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and the Texas Nursery and Landscaping Association. No subrecipient activities were specified at the time of award.

Activities

Intensive detection efforts will be conducted in citrus orchards in commercial citrus and dooryard trees in the belt of south texas, as well as in high-risk areas (houston, east coast of texas, and other large cities). Statewide surveys will also be conducted monthly. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the citrus center will be providing semi annual and final performance and financial reports as well as diagnostic reports and reporting of data and results of this citrus commodity survey. Intended beneficiary(IES): this will benefit and enhance PPQ's mission and also serve as an early detection method to respond early in protecting the texas citrus industry as well as other citrus producing states. Texas department of agriculture and the texas citrus pest and disease corporation, the tamu agri-life extension and texas nursery and landscaping association will benefit from this surveillance work. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none