Detector dogs– trained by USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program– are all set to ferret out these harmful intrusive insects to find them early and avoid their spread.
These extremely qualified dogs represent a few of the current successes of our Agricultural Detector Canines tactical effort. Its objective is to broaden making use of detector dogs to improve domestic insect studies, find insects early and assist in the trade of U.S. farming items.
Spotted lanternfly
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA and CS) kept in mind when the spotted lanternfly (SLF) was found simply north of their State in Virginia, SLF is an intrusive plant hopper from China. It eats more than 70 kinds of plants, consisting of crops like apples, grapes, hops, and stone fruits, in addition to wood trees. While SLF’s extremely chosen host is the tree of paradise, vineyards have been the most negatively impacted farming product up until now.
“The State wanted to use canines to help keep the pest out, so NCDA and CS sought funds and assistance from PPQ through a cooperative agreement for more than $200,000,” states National Operations Manager Betsy Randall-Schadel “Things moved pretty quickly because NCDA and CS committed to funding the salaries of the canine handlers.”
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