Monitor for the presence of insects and a disease of grapes that cause significant damage to grapes and in turn the grape industry

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $130,000 cooperative agreement to NY State Agriculture & Markets on June 1, 2026, to conduct a grape commodity survey monitoring for exotic pests and diseases across New York State.

The recipient will deploy 120 traps each to detect European grapevine moth, European grape berry moth, and Christmas berry webworm in grape nurseries and vineyards. Visual surveys will screen for vine mealybug, grapevine red blotch virus, and spotted lanternfly. The survey uses traps, lures, and visual inspection of symptomatic leaf tissue to determine presence or absence of these pests and diseases. Deliverables include trap deployment and servicing, insect screening, vine scouting, and financial and accomplishment reports submitted according to the agreement's schedule.

The period of performance runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with all work performed in New York. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, the standard assistance type for APHIS commodity surveillance partnerships with state agricultural agencies.

Cornell University will serve as a sub-recipient providing laboratory diagnostic services, though the source does not specify the scope or funding amount for Cornell's role.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to monitor for the presence of insects and a disease of grapes that cause significant damage to grapes and in turn the grape industry. The survey is monitoring national priority pests or pests not previously found in new york state which would pose new and arduous detriment to this portion of the agriculture industry.

Activities

Grape commodity survey will monitor grape nurseries and vineyards in new york state for exotic pests. Survey will be conducted using traps and lures when available, visual surveys where not, sampling of symptomatic leaf tissue for disease. 120 traps each will be deployed to detect european grapevine moth, european grape berry moth & christmas berry webworm. Visual surveys will be conducted in vineyards for vine mealybug, grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) & spotted lanternfly deliverables and expected outcomes: deployment of traps and lures, servicing of traps, screening of insects and scouting of vines for disease will be used to evaluate the project. This survey will allow for determinations on the presence or absence of these exotic pests and diseases. In addition, financial & accomplishment reports will be submitted in the frequency and time frame specified on the agreement award face sheet. This data will help facilitate safe trade, possibly lead to early detection and eradication of exotic pests and improve overall plant health. Intended beneficiary(IES): new york farmers who produce grapes & wine, as well as other industries and people R elying on the grape and wine industries. Nursery industries in new york will also benefit because this work could lead to early detection of exotic pests that may damage nursery & horticultural plants in the state. And finally, the citizens of new york and visitors to the state who enjoy the fruits of the grape industry, including wine production. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: cornell university will be contracted to conduct official insect identification, as well as to screen and test disease samples. Cornell cooperative extension in chautauqua, seneca, suffolk, and rensselaer counties to conduct the actual survey work.