The primary objective of this project is to respond to the active spotted lanternfly infestation in rhode island, both in mitigating spread to other states and protecting local vineyard and orchard…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $167,000 cooperative agreement to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management on August 1, 2026, to respond to the active spotted lanternfly infestation in Rhode Island through August 31, 2027.

The recipient will conduct delimitation surveys and response activities across infested counties in Providence, Washington, and Newport Counties, where spotted lanternfly populations were detected beginning in August 2022 in Smithfield and subsequently identified in satellite populations in Cumberland and Providence. Work includes detection surveys in at least ten vineyard and orchard locations during the adult season, with survey data to be uploaded to ArcGIS maps as required by USDA. Activities encompass monitoring of transportation hubs and treatment of infested areas to contain and where possible eradicate populations, alert businesses and growers, and prevent spread beyond state borders. The program targets protection of Rhode Island's concentrated vineyard acreage in Newport County and other local orchard commodities while generating distribution and range data for the pest across the state. Performance occurs in Rhode Island.

Activities

Delimitation survey and response to the current spotted lanternfly infestation, which would provide the following benefits: containment away from agricultural areas; prevention of the spread out of rhode island; and increased awareness for impacted communities and growers. Early detection of the pest in new areas, which would provide significant benefit in the ability to control or manage the pests. Rapid response and delimitation to those impacted areas to avoid further spread, contain the population, or eradicate if possible, and protect agricultural areas. This includes alerting businesses, monitoring transportation hubs and treatment in these areas. Survey and response (treatment) activities to contribute data on the distribution and range of SLF in the state of rhode island. Deliverables and expected outcomes: survey and response to the current spotted lanternfly infestation, which would provide the following benefits: delimitation survey within infested counties which will be uploaded into the arcgis maps as required by USDA. Completed organized detection survey in at least 10 vineyard and orchard locations during the adult season. Respond to public reports in new areas/towns and take appropriate action if found to be positive. Intended beneficiary(IES): this work is protecting the agricultural resources of RI and all of new england including but not limited to forest nursery and landscape stakeholders, agrotourism industries in the state, and the general public. Also, the citizens of rhode island and visitors to the state who enjoy outdoor recreation and agrotourism. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: n/a