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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.

Cereal Crop Nematode Survey

The purpose of this 3 year study is to provide early detection of infestations of exotic nematodes and general population information of endemic plant parasitic nematodes. The data provided will help support domestic and foreign exports of grain from Kansas and other states. It will also aid in determining best practices for movement of machinery across state lines. The entire state acreage, on a prorated county basis, will have been surveyed by the end of the project. The first and second years’ surveys are now completed. The third year will be completed in 2010.

Core/Infrastructure Project

This project provides resources to improve the infrastructure of the existing network of program cooperators involved in pest detection in Kansas. Improved communications between industry, extension, and other state cooperators will enhance the effectiveness of current programs and better utilize the resources available.

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/.

Small Grain Commodity Survey

This detection survey will gather data to determine the status of the Silver Y Moth, Egyptian Cotton Leafworm, Old World Bollworm, Cereal Leaf Beetle and Maritime Gardensnail in wheat in Central Kansas. Wheat was Kansas’ number one crop in 2009 in production and was number two in economic value. This project will help build the state survey and NAPIS data bases for these exotic pests to support exports.

Survey data from this project will be collected as we monitor fields of wheat for pests and beneficial insects. It will ensure that the action taken if the pests are intercepted is effective in preventing their introduction into the environment. Data will also be gathered for use in future control programs.

Karnal Bunt National 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 each county in the state of Kansas are collected 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.

Red Imported Fire Ant Survey

This detection survey will gather data to determine the status of the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) in nurseries in Kansas. This project will be conducted at nurseries that receive stock from states that have quarantines. Kansas Live Plant dealers receive plant materials from 269 sources identified within or near the federal fire ant quarantine areas.

There have been 6 incidents of RIFA being introduced into Kansas. In every instance they had spread from the initial introduction site and in one case had overwintered here. Counties of past introductions have been in Johnson, Douglas, Sedgwick, Harvey and Crawford. The most recent find in the summer of 2009 was in Montgomery County from plant material received from Florida to a nursery.

This survey will monitor a high risk pathway of possible introduction of this pest. It will also help ensure that RIFA was not introduced into the environment. This project will provide KDA and USDA-APHIS-PPQ, with information regarding the status of the target pest. This information can be used to determine appropriate response actions if positive finds are confirmed by USDA.

Walnut Twig Beetle Survey: Vector of Thousand Cankers Disease of Walnut

The walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis, and thousand cankers disease of walnuts has been detected in several states in the western United States 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.

This survey will entail trapping using canopy traps focusing on areas around saw mills that process walnut. Visual surveys of walnut trees near aggregations points (saw mills) will also be conducted. Samples will be taken from walnut trees, if there are signs of the disease.

Canada Thistle Bio Control Project

Canada Thistle is a declared noxious weed in the state of Kansas and infests nearly 14,000 acres mainly in the western half of the state (2007 Annual Reports). Canada thistle’s invasiveness comes from its ability to reduce crop yields, out-compete native vegetation, and its capacity to reproduce and spread rapidly with rhizomes and windborne seed. Canada thistle has the ability to reduce yields in wheat-60%, corn-81%, soybean-95%, and rangeland-60%. In addition, Canada thistle infests range and wildlife areas that are difficult to chemically or mechanically control. Keith Sebelius Lake (Norton Lake) in northwest Kansas battles Canada thistle on a yearly basis. The difficulty of control comes from inaccessible land, low fluctuating water levels, and tree cover. To maintain wildlife habit and recreational usability of the lake, it has become important to pursue various control approaches, including biological control.

Objectives of the project:

Release Ceutorhynchus litura for biological control on Canada thistle at Keith Sebelius Lake.
Monitor Ceutorhynchus litura populations and Canada thistle population after release.
Establish a insectary for future Ceutorhynchus litura releases in Kansas.

Spotted Knapweed Bio Control Project

Spotted knapweed is an invasive biannual weed that invades cropland, pastures, fallow ground, and non-crop areas. Considering spotted knapweed is also a substantial problem in neighboring states, Kansas has listed spotted knapweed on its Invasive Weed Watch List. Several infestations of spotted knapweed are known to exist in Kansas, but for the most part an extensive survey has not been completed. Understanding where spotted knapweed exists is crucial to controlling the spread of this invasive species. Combining the efforts of chemical, mechanical and biological control will result in better weed management then chemical alone.

Objectives of the project:

Survey for spotted knapweed to determine extent of population in Kansas.
Release Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus achates for biological control on spotted knapweed known infestation in Nemaha county.
Monitor Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus achates populations and spotted knapweed population after release.
Establish an insectary for future Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus achates releases in Kansas.