The primary purpose of this agreement is to support two canine teams in north carolina to detect spotted lanternfly (SLF - lycorma delicatula).

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services a Cooperative Agreement worth $183,333 on September 6, 2026, to support two canine teams trained to detect spotted lanternfly (SLF) in North Carolina through September 5, 2027.

The two canine and handler teams, trained by the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), will conduct daily self-administered training exercises to detect SLF outside known infested areas and deploy in response to new SLF reports, general inspections, or at known infestation sites to locate egg masses. Deliverables include passing the NDDTC annual evaluation for both canine teams, maintaining 85 percent proficiency on periodic controlled testing using egg masses, and continuing in-field training in Virginia in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and PPQ. The recipient will also develop detection capabilities for other SLF life stages. Work is performed in North Carolina with training activities extending to Virginia.

The funding supports kenneling and veterinary care ($53,980), canine supplies including food and treats ($5,357.10), vehicle maintenance, fuel, and equipment ($5,610), and travel both in and out of state ($4,352.90). The award benefits the state's agricultural stakeholders, including producers and the general public.

Activities

Two canine and handler teams will continue self-administered daily training exercises to detect SLF outside of the known SLF infested areas. Two canine and handler teams trained for SLF detection by the national detector DOG training center (nddtc) will continue to be deployed to find EGG masses in response to any new SLF reports, as part of a general inspection or at a known infestation site. Deliverables and expected outcomes: objective 1: pass the nddtc annual evaluation for both canine teams. Maintain the necessary supplies, kenneling and vehicles for two canine teams to be successful. Objective 2: maintain 85% proficiency (final response) on periodic controlled testing using EGG masses.-continue in-field training within the neighboring state of virginia with cooperation of virginia department of agriculture and consumer services and PPQ.-continue to d evelop the detection of other life stages. Intended beneficiary(IES): the state's agricultural stakeholders, including producers and members of the public. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none. Large cost categories: travel: (in and out of state) $4,352.90, equipment: (vehicle maintenance, fuel and supplies): $5,610, supplies: (canine food, treats and supplies): $5 ,357.10, contractual: kenneling, veterinary care): $53,980