The purpose of this washington grape commodity survey is to monitor for key insect and disease pests identified by federal scientists and by state commodity groups as most likely to disrupt grape vine…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the State of Washington Department of Agriculture $120,000 on May 1, 2026, under a Cooperative Agreement to conduct a Washington Grape Commodity Survey for invasive pest and disease detection.

WSDA will conduct trapping and visual survey strategies to detect three priority insect pests—Cryptoblabes gnidiella, Lobesia botrana, and Lycorma delicatula—and provide negative data confirming their absence in Washington state grape plantings. At the request of the Washington winegrape industry, WSDA will also perform visual surveys for vine mealybug (Planococcus ficus) and Xylotrechus pyrroderus during L. delicatula assessments. The survey will include visual inspection for three Candidatus phytoplasmas and Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, with suspected grapevines screened through molecular assays following National CAPS Committee-approved methods. Early detection of invasive pests enables WSDA and the grape industry to eliminate threats before establishment and allows state, federal, and commodity groups to develop collaborative response plans to contain incursions and protect grape exports to overseas markets.

Work is performed in Washington. The period of performance runs May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. The funding is classified as a Cooperative Agreement, an assistance type reflecting the collaborative relationship between APHIS and the state agency in executing the surveillance mission.

Activities

Trapping and visual survey strategies, as outlined by the national caps committee, will specifically capture, or detect three target insect pests (cryptoblabes gnidiella (millière, 1867), lobesia botrana (denis & schiffermüller, 1775), and lycorma delicatula (white, 1845)) listed as priority pests in 2026. The objective of this survey is to provide and confirm negative data indicating the clear absence of these organisms in WA state grape plantings. In addition, at the request of the WA state winegrape industry, wsda will perform visual surveys for the presence of and signs of vine mealybug, planococcus ficus (BEN-DOV, 1994) and xylotrechus pyrroderus (bates, 1873) while performing visuals for L. Delicatula. In addition to the insect target pests, wsda trappers will survey vineyards for visual symptoms/signs of three candidatus phytoplasmas and pseudopezicula tracheiphila (müll.-thurg., 1903) which are listed by the national caps committee as priority pests in grapes for 2026. Any suspected grapevines will be investigated through screening of leaf samples through molecular assays following approved methods on the caps resource and collaboration site. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the cooperator seeks to conduct a program which is expected to result in: Q1: outline survey geography, acquire materials, hire personnel, and begin survey. Q2: continue field survey. Q3: provide suspect specimens to insect pest screening laboratory and disease screening laboratory for processing. Q4: compile and analyze results. Plan for any necessary follow-up action in subsequent fiscal year. Intended beneficiary(IES): farmers, shippers, grape exporters and producers. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a. Financials: pesonnel = $60,448; fringe = $21,374; travel = $7,598; supplies = $12,086; other = $1,500; indirect = $16,994