The cooperator seeks to conduct a survey program which is expected to result in timely identification of high risk, exotic, invasive moths (origin asia) that could threaten the agricultural and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the Alaska Department of Natural Resources a Cooperative Agreement for $115,800 on June 1, 2026, under the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program to conduct an invasive moth detection survey across Alaska.

The recipient will conduct survey operations to identify high-risk exotic Asian defoliating moths—including spongy moth, nun moth, Siberian silk moth, and rosy moth—that could threaten U.S. agricultural and natural resources. Detection traps equipped with appropriate pheromone attractants will be deployed in high-risk areas around Alaska, including ports, waterways, transient areas such as campgrounds and military bases. Traps will be placed in late spring with mid-season checks no later than August 2025 and recovery no later than mid-October. All survey data will be collected manually using an Excel database template, quality-checked, and uploaded into the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS) database. Suspect specimens will receive in-state identification, with those requiring further verification or identified as APHIS-PPQ quarantine pests forwarded to APHIS-PPQ identifiers for confirmation. Survey reports will be submitted to APHIS-PPQ on a timely basis throughout the period of performance.

Period of performance runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. Place of performance is Alaska.

Activities

Standard survey methods will be used as specified by aphis-PPQ protocols and as outlined in the cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS) approved methods provided for this survey. All data will be collected manually until a field tested, reliable electronic data capturing device can be made available to all cooperators. Division of agriculture staff will work with some cooperators in order to implement newer technologies, but primary data collection will be manual and entered into an excel database template, checked for accuracy and quality, then uploaded into the national agricultural pest information system (NAPIS) database. Survey reports will be submitted to aphis-PPQ in a timely manner. This survey effort will be an ongoing project in order to provide continued support to the national survey effort to monitor and detect early any asian defoliating moth introductions into alaska and the US: a) detection traps with appropriate pheromone attractants for spongy moth, NUN moth, siberian silk moth, and rosy moth will be placed in high-risk (port and waterways, transient areas like campgrounds and military bases, etc.) areas around alaska; B) traps will be placed in late spring, and they will be recovered no later than mid-october. A mid-season trap check will take place no later than august 2025. Suspect pests will be identified using in-state identification services. Specimens requiring further verification or any aphis-PPQ quarantine pest will be sent to an aphis-PPQ identifier for further confirmation. Deliverables and expected outcomes: AK dept of agriculture will set up traps and conduct quality inspections at sites and confirm target identification prior to USDA final determination for targets. Also, USDA provides onsite assistance for the trapping and visual surveys. The results will be all the negative and positive data uploaded to NAPIS. Expected outcome is early detection, rapid response if foreign exotics are found or, just as important, negative data to provide reasonable assurance of pest freedom for exports, extremely important for alaska as the timber industry (LOGS) is their #1 export product. Intended beneficiary(IES): PPQ, alaska division of agriculture, industry/exporters. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: traps will be placed by cooperators in R emote locations. Alaska, geographically, is difficult to trap/survey due to the sheer size of the state. Assistance is key to conducting a wide ranging and effective survey. Financials: personnel = $25,209; fringe = $19,995; travel = $21,795; supplies = $179; CO ntractual = $35,127; other (REQ safety training) = $2,000; indirect = $11,495