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Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS)

The USDA operates a program called the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) which provides support to states to conduct pest detection activities beyond those that are conducted by the states. CAPS projects support the pest detection infrastructure in each state as well as providing funds for specific pest detection projects. Most of these projects are focused on high-risk exotic pests that do not exist or are of limited distribution in the United States. Early detection of new pests is critical to the early containment and possible eradication of these pests. A brief description of each of the current Kansas CAPS projects is listed below.

Infrastructure Project

The objective of this program is to provide the infrastructure to improve and support the activities of the existing network of program cooperators related to the detection and response to exotic introduced pests and weeds in defense of Homeland Security and the protection of Kansas’ agriculture and natural resources. Funds will be used to enhance the ability to conduct specific pest surveys, analyses, and communications to aid in the prevention, detection, surveillance, and response to harmful or economically significant plant pests and weeds.

National Emerald Ash Borer Survey

The Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive invasive pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees. First discovered in Michigan in 2002. This pest has now spread into Ohio(2003), Indiana(2004), Illinois, Maryland (2006), Pennsylvania, West Virginia (2007), Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin (2008), Kentucky, Minnesota, New York (2009), Iowa and Tennessee (2010). This project will greatly improve the chances for early detection and making eradication or control a more manageable task. For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer check our emerald ash borer page or go to http://www.emeraldashborer.info/.

National Karnal Bunt Survey

Collecting and submitting wheat grain samples as part of the National Karnal Bunt survey is necessary to continue the export of Kansas wheat. Representative samples of wheat from ~140 grain storage facilities in ~40 counties in the state of Kansas are collected each year and submitted to USDA, where they are screened for the presence of Karnal Bunt.

The Kansas wheat industry is valued at over one billion dollars to the state each year. The ability to continue to export Kansas-grown wheat is essential to the success of this industry.

National Khapra Beetle Survey

The khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts) is one of the world’s most destructive pests of grain products and seeds. Khapra beetle and associated host material are regulated by the USDA under authority of 7 CFR 319.75. While khapra beetle is not known to occur in the U.S., khapra beetle interceptions at ports of entry have dramatically increased recently and the pest risk potential of khapra beetle is high.

The goal of the national survey is to determine if the U.S. if free from khapra beetle.

Oak Pest Commodity Survey

This detection survey is planned for three years and will gather data to determine the status of exotic oak pests in Kansas. The first year (2011) is planned for the northeast to north central with 50 sites trapped, the second year (2012) for the southeast to south central with 50 sites trapped and the third year (2013) for the central to western half of the state with 30 sites trapped. Areas in and around the priority resource area for oak will be selected. Kansas has a high population of oak in the eastern part of the state and other large areas throughout the state. The potential loss could be substantial to the ecosystem, agriculture, the lumber and nursery industry and communities if these pests are not detected early.

Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Survey

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was first found in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001. BMSB will feed on a wide variety of shade and fruit trees, vegetables and legumes. This pest could become a major agricultural pest in the United States which could cause crop loss and economic hardship in Kansas.

States where this pest has been found, as of May 2011, are: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. BMSB is established mostly on the east coast and Oregon.

Walnut Twig Beetle/Thousand Cankers Disease Survey

The walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, and thousand cankers disease of walnuts has been detected in the western United States, Tennessee (2010), Pennsylvania and Virginia (2011) and as close as eastern Colorado, but is not known to occur in Kansas. Early detection and containment of this pest is of great importance since it can cause the demise of walnut trees which are of great economic value.

Quarantines on the movement of walnut are in place in Kansas and other states. Many of these quarantines require survey to take place in the state that the walnut originated. Also since the find in Tennessee, it is unknown where this pest occurs.

Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Survey

Purple Loosestrife is an invasive, nonnative, Watch List weed species in the state of Kansas that has been documented in 13 counties and observed in many more. Purple Loosestrife’s invasiveness comes from its ability to out-compete native wetland vegetation and its capacity to reproduce and spread rapidly via rhizomes and waterborne seed. With this explosive growth rate, it is capable of forming monoculture plant habitats in wetland areas. It also infests lowland pasture and wildlife areas that are difficult to chemically or mechanically control.

2012 CAPS Reports

2012 Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Semi-annual CAPS Report

2012 Emerald Ash Borer Semi-annual CAPS Report

2012 Karnal Bunt Semi-annual CAPS Report

2011 (extension) Thousand Cankers Disease of Walnut Survey Semi-annual CAPS Report

2012 Oak Pest Commodity Semi-annual CAPS Report

2012 Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Semi-annual CAPS Report

2011 CAPS Reports

2011-12 Infrastructure Annual Report

2011 Canada Thistle Bio-Control Survey Annual CAPS report

2011 Emerald Ash Borer Survey Annual CAPS Report

2011 Karnal Bunt Survey Annual CAPS Report