In partnership with the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist, a citizen science effort focused on invasive species education and monitoring has been running for the last three summers. Carl Harper, Office of the State Entomologist maintains the statistics and distributes traps while Blake Newton and Jonathan Larson, UK Entomology, produce and distribute educational materials. The goals of this project are to expand the monitoring footprint for spongy moth (a threat to Kentucky’s white oaks), spotted lanternfly, jumping worms, and imported fire ants. The volunteers in this effort are adding direct value to state and federal monitoring campaigns.

For 2024:

We had approximately 127 individuals/groups registered representing about 354 participants across the state in at least 56 of our 120 counties on the lookout for invasive pests. 

Spongy Moth: 600 traps were sent out but 425 were recorded as being set. No spongy moths were captured in 2024.

425 traps is an added value of $24,000 in volunteer effort for the national Slow the Spread program aimed at monitoring for and managing spongy moth.

Visual Surveys

88 visual surveys were completed.  This included visuals for spotted lanternfly, tree of heaven, imported fire ant, and jumping worm.

This would equate to another $1,232 + at $14 per site visit.

Invasive Species Citizen Science Program 2024

REPORT: Invasive Species Citizen Science Program 2024

For 2025:

As of late June, there are at least 499 individuals across the state in about 72 of our 120 counties.

Spongy Moth:

902 delta traps have been sent out for placement and 317 have been recorded as placed.

Spotted Lanternfly:

27 circle traps have been sent out for placement and 5 have been recorded as placed.

Visual Surveys:

11 visuals have been recorded as done.  This could include spotted lanternfly, tree of heaven, imported fire ant, jumping worm.

Totals for value added services will be generated at the end of this growing season. Surveys will be performed in 2025 to assess if participants would support expanded monitoring efforts and other behavioral changes.