This project will provide rapid response support for control/containment of spotted lanternfly (lycorma delicatula, SLF) within north carolina (NC)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $205,000 Cooperative Agreement to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services on September 1, 2026, for rapid response support in control and containment of spotted lanternfly within North Carolina.

The recipient will conduct targeted treatments at critical points in the spotted lanternfly's life cycle within four North Carolina counties to prevent spread of the pest throughout the state and into new states. Activities include early detection surveys outside known infestation areas focusing on high-risk sites, using visual survey and circle traps, and outreach to businesses and the general public to encourage reporting of suspected spotted lanternfly and prevent movement of the pest. The recipient will develop and refine a statewide map identifying high-risk sites and locations of spotted lanternfly preferred hosts, including tree of heaven and chinaberry. Outreach and education activities will raise awareness of the threat, how to identify and report suspect spotted lanternfly to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and best practices to prevent pest spread. Deliverables include management of known spotted lanternfly populations to prevent rapid spread within or outside North Carolina, resulting in positive outcomes for businesses in the infestation area, and reporting on education activities with estimates of total people reached. The intended beneficiaries are the state's agriculture stakeholders, including producers and members of the public.

The period of performance is September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with all work performed in North Carolina. No sub-recipients are specified.

Activities

NC department of agriculture & consumer services (ncdacs) will conduct the following activites during the performance period: 1) targeted treatments at critical points in spotted lanternfly's life cycle, 2) early detection surveys outside the known infestation areas focusing on high risk sites, and 3) outreach to businesses and the general public to encourage the reporting of SLF. Deliverables and expected outcomes: management of a known population of SLF to prevent rapid spread within north carolina or to other states RES ulting in positive outcomes for businesses located within the infestation area. Survey for SLF by visual survey and circle traps at high-risk locations throughout north carolina. Continued refinement of a statewide map identifying high-risk sites within north carolina as well as continuing to identify the range and locations of SLF preferred hosts (tree­ of-heaven, chinaberry) outreach and education activities will raise awareness of the threat, how to identify and report suspect SLF to ncdacs, and best practices to prevent the spread of this pest. We will report these and estimates for total people reached. Intended beneficiary(IES): the state's agriculture stakeholders, including producers and members of the public. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none. Cost categories: personnel: $52 ,677.38; fringe benefits: $2,388.19; travel: $14,390,50; equipment: $11,709.47; supplies: $17,930.39; contractual: $100,230 (pesticide application); other: $4,923.75 (shipping. Printing, port access fees); indirect costs: 750.32