Control the spread of spotted lanternfly throughout virginia through activities that promote early detection, prompt suppression efforts, and education to the public

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $220,500 Cooperative Agreement to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on May 15, 2026, to control the spread of spotted lanternfly throughout Virginia. The award funds trapping efforts, visual surveys, public education, and coordination of treatment efforts with APHIS-PPQ from May 15, 2026, through April 30, 2027, with performance in Virginia.

The recipient will conduct a minimum of 50 visual surveys and establish 10 circle traps outside generally infested localities with focus on high-risk sites. Deliverables include enhancing public awareness through education, establishing and monitoring trapping and visual survey sites, identifying tree of heaven sites for future monitoring, conducting egg mass monitoring to predict spotted lanternfly population dynamics, and performing treatments to suppress populations and mitigate economic losses. The award supports safe trade facilitation and aims to achieve early detection and eradication in certain areas while improving overall plant health.

Obligated costs reflect personnel (SLF field supervisor and wage employee totaling $113,843.80 including fringe), travel at $18,740, equipment (phones) at $1,440, field supplies and outreach materials at $47,643.20, a leased vehicle at $7,800, and indirect costs on personnel at $32,933. No sub-recipients are identified.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to control the spread of spotted lanternfly throughout virginia through activities that promote early detection, prompt suppression efforts, and education to the public.

Activities

The recipient will conduct trapping efforts, visual surveys, public education, and coordinate treatment efforts with aphis-PPQ. A minimum of fifty (50) visual surveys will be performed, and ten (10) circle traps will be set outside generally infested localities, with a focus on high-risk sites. Deliverables and expected outcomes: this award aims to enhance public awareness and engagement through education efforts, establish and monitor SLF trapping and visual survey sites, identify tree of heaven sites for future monitoring, conduct EGG mass monitoring to predict future SLF population dynamics, and perform treatments to suppress SLF population and mitigate economic losses. Additionally, this data will help facilitate safe trade, possibly lead to early detection and eradication of SLF in certain areas and improve overall plant health. Treatments in known infested areas will also reduce populations of the pest and prevent spread and establishment in new areas. Intended beneficiary(IES): this award will benefit virginia's residents, agricultural industries, and stakeholders. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: no known subrecipient activities. Cost analysis: personnel-SLF field supervisor @ 2,080 hours $28.00=$58,240.00, 1 wage employee @ 1 ,404 hours $18.25=$25,623.00; fringe benefits supervisor @ 44.85%=$26,120.64, wage employee @ 7.65%=$1,960.16. Travel(mileage, lodging, per diem)=$18,740.00. Equipment(2 phones)=$1,440.00. Supplies(field supplies, outreach material, gloves, tools)=$47,643.20. Other(leased vehicle)$7,800.00. Indirect cost of personnel @ 39.27%=$32 ,933.00.