The purpose of the 2026 arizona nursery and retail plants pest survey will be to: continue to conduct a survey for a wide variety of pests that pose a threat to arizona's nursery production: conduct…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Arizona Department of Agriculture a $150,000 cooperative agreement on July 1, 2026, under the Plant Protection and Quarantine program (CFDA 10.025) to conduct the 2026 Arizona Nursery and Retail Plants Pest Survey.

The award funds year-round targeted inspections at high-risk nursery facilities to detect and monitor invasive pests threatening Arizona's commercial nursery industry and export potential. Work includes visual inspections of nursery stock up to twice during the survey year at facilities with moderate to high importation volumes from regulated areas, with particular focus on brown garden snail, giant African snail, rose rosette disease, Japanese beetle, brown marmorated stink bug, box tree moth, spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, olive bark beetle, and exotic scales. The recipient will conduct a continuation trapping program for California red scale in high-risk nurseries in Yuma County using white panel traps with monthly servicing and lure changes. Red imported fire ant surveys will employ meat-bait techniques using a 20-foot grid pattern array at each high-risk location. Quarantine-held nursery stock presenting highest phytophagous risk will receive additional detailed inspection prior to release for sale, with suspected scales submitted to the Arizona Department of Agriculture Office of Plant Services entomologist for identification.

Performance occurs in Arizona with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Activities

Inspectors will conduct visual surveys for targeted pests in nursery locations and rose fields; following established trapping protocols, inspectors will place and service traps for CRS, OWB, and JB; inspectors will survey for rifa using meat bait in each high-risk nursery location; suspect samples will be reviewed by the azda OPS entomology staff; administrative staff will manage data, financial, and supply resources for the project. Deliverables and expected outcomes: early detection and subsequent mitigation of diseases and pests will minimize the threat to the nursery industry, reduce eradication costs and facilitate the continuation of commerce. Intended beneficiary(IES): commercial nursery growers and retail establishments, in protecting arizona landscape plants from diseases and other pests; the unique biodiversity of arizona. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none. Financials: personnel = $92 ,706; fringe = $55,623; supplies = $1,671