Expand and develop pest identification resources maintained by plant protection and quarantine - science and technology for use by customs and border patrol, PPQ, and state inspectors to identify…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Colorado State University a cooperative agreement valued at $575,461 on September 1, 2026, to expand and develop pest identification resources for use by Customs and Border Protection, Plant Protection and Quarantine, and state inspectors.

Colorado State University will produce 12,000 high-quality diagnostic images of quarantine pest species and non-target lookalikes, emphasizing anatomical features critical for identification at ports of entry and in domestic pest surveys. The recipient will compile and vet 1,000 information sources for pest identification and diagnostic purposes, and will develop four user-friendly identification keys focused on specific pest groups in consultation with taxonomic experts. All deliverables will be delivered to Plant Protection and Quarantine according to established protocols.

The cooperative agreement runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with performance at Fort Collins, Colorado. The identification resources support the initial line of defense against invasive agricultural pests during inspection and domestic survey activities, directly benefiting American farmers and agricultural producers and traders.

Expand and develop pest identification resources maintained by plant protection and quarantine - science and technology for use by customs and border patrol, PPQ, and state inspectors to identify and prevent the introduction of intercepted quarantine pests that threaten american agriculture. The identification resources include diagnostic images of important pests, vetted pest identification information, and detailed keys focused on identification of specific groups of plant pests. Activities to be performed: the recipient will use their taxonomic and photographic expertise to meticulously produce diagnostic images of the highest quality, focusing on anatomical features of quarantine pest species and similar non-targets that are essential for identification at ports of entry and in domestic surveys. In addition, taxonomic experts in specific groups of pests will be consulted to develop user-friendly identification keys, and compile and VET information sources useful for identification purposes. Deliverables and expected outcomes: 12,000 high-quality pest images suitable for use in port-of-entry and domestic pest identification and 1,000 vetted information sources useful for identification and diagnostic purposes will be delivered to plant protection and quarantine according to established protocols. Four new user-friendly identification keys focused on specific pest groups will be produced. Intended beneficiary(IES): this agreement will benefit american farmers and all persons involved in agricultural production and trade. Globally, invasive species are estimated to have cost $1.28 trillion over the past 50 years. The first line of defense in excluding invasive agricultural pests is the detection and identification of these species during inspections and through domestic surveys. The deliverables produced through this agreement are critical for ensuring that those involved in this initial defense are equipped with resources to help identify agricultural plant pests.