The purpose of the survey is to detect the presence of tomato leaf miner (TLM) (phthorimaea absoluta, formerlytuta absoluta), false codling moth (FCM) (thaumatotibia leucrotreta), pale cyst nematode…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture $100,000 on July 1, 2026, as a Cooperative Agreement to conduct a survey detecting four invasive solanaceous crop pests in California.

The survey targets tomato leaf miner (Phthorimaea absoluta), false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta), pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida), and tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus). The recipient will deploy 200 traps each for tomato leaf miner and false codling moth during their anticipated flight seasons, survey 200 plants for tomato brown rugose fruit virus, and collect and analyze 125 soil samples for pale cyst nematode. Survey activities occur in high-risk solanaceous crop production counties in California during appropriate sampling windows for each pest. The survey aims to detect evidence of pest introduction, generate negative results to validate existing state and federal regulations and support trade and export, and develop mitigation measures should incipient populations be found.

The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Place of performance is California.

Activities

This survey will be conducted in solanaceous crop production areas where there is a high risk of introduction of solanaceous crop pests due to the presence of preferred hosts for these pests. This survey will occur during the anticipated flight season of two priority insect pests of solanaceous crops, as well as the appropriate sampling period for PCN and tobrfv. A total of 200 traps will be placed for TLM and for FCM. A total of 200 plants will be surveyed for tobrfv and 125 soil samples will be taken and analyzed for PCN. Surveys will be conducted in counties with large acreages of solanaceous crops which are likely to be at high risk of introduction of invasive solanaceous crop pests. Deliverables and expected outcomes: a tabulation of the number of sites trapped and sampled, and the number of samples submitted, can be used to determine if the survey efforts were sufficient to meet the project needs. Targeting the survey on the selected areas that have the greatest risk for introduction should allow for a reasonable expectation for the detection of the pests. Therefore, this survey should find evidence of the pests if they are being introduced. Negative survey results would indicate that the targeted pests have not been introduced and have not become established in california, thereby showing areas free from these pests. Intended beneficiary(IES): tomatoes are one of the top ten crops grown in california, being planted on over 248,000 a cres and accounting for over $1.48 billion annually in gross production value in 2025. The combined annual value of tomatoes, peppers and potatoes produced in california is equal to over $2.02 billion. These pests could cause devastating losses to the agricultural industry if IT were to become established in california. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: staff from the county agricultural commissioners' offices may assist in this survey, but there are no subcontracts awarded. Cost categories: personnel: $34,675; fringe benefits: $13,839; travel: $5,070; supplies: $2,239; contractual: $13,817; other: $15,360; indirect costs: $15,000