Conduct research and activities to improve rearing, release, and recovery of biocontrol agents of the emerald ASH borer

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded Xavier University $226,054 in a Cooperative Agreement on September 30, 2026, to conduct research and activities improving the rearing, release, and recovery of biocontrol agents targeting the emerald ash borer.

Xavier will perform studies to improve biocontrol agent production, rear research colonies, produce and deploy 750–1,000 sentinel bolts for field research projects, and support centralized identification of program recovery samples. Deliverables include high-quality biocontrol agents, data on bolt rot and quality control, production and distribution of sentinel bolts, and completed identification of program samples submitted by cooperators. The work directly supports USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine's emerald ash borer management program and colony production efforts.

The period of performance runs September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2027, with performance taking place in the United States.

This will improve plant protection and quarantine's ability to manage emerald ASH borer and optimize program output. Activities to be performed: the recipient will perform studies to improve production of biocontrol agents, rear research colonies, produce and deploy sentinel bolts for various field research projects, and support centralized identification of program recovery samples. Deliverables and expected outcomes: deliverables include production of high-quality biocontrol agents, data on bolt ROT and quality control, production and distribution of 750-1000 sentinel bolts for research purposes, and completed identification of program samples sent by cooperators. Expected outcomes are improved production and deployment of biocontrol agents for the emerald ASH borer program. Intended beneficiary(IES): USDA's plant protection and quarantine will benefit from this work as IT lends support to program colony production and recovery efforts, as well as conducts research to improve program output.