Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2022 - Jun 30, 2023


Success Story2024-2025 Kentucky Keepers Invasive Species Monitoring with Citizen Science



2024-2025 Kentucky Keepers Invasive Species Monitoring with Citizen Science

Author: Jonathan Larson

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Integrated Pest Management

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

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.






Stories by Jonathan Larson


Delusory Parasitosis Working Group

about 1 years ago by Jonathan Larson

In 2023 I was invited to join a group funded by the Southern IPM Center that focuses on helping Exte... Read More


2023 Expansion to Invasive Species Citizen Science Project

about 1 years ago by Jonathan Larson

In 2022, a partnership between Extension and the Office of the State Entomologist was formed to buil... Read More


Stories by Entomology


Entomology Program of UK-REC at Princeton Collaborated with Successful Revamp of Critters Day and Hummingbird festival at Land between the Lakes

Entomology Program of UK-REC at Princeton Collaborated with Successful Revamp of Critters Day and Hummingbird festival at Land between the Lakes

about 1 years ago by Raul Villanueva

After two years of interruption two events that take place were completed at the Nature center at La... Read More


Entomology at Princeton in 2022: Rebuilding program after the tornado disaster

Entomology at Princeton in 2022: Rebuilding program after the tornado disaster

about 2 years ago by Raul Villanueva

Immediately after the tornado that destroyed all the facilities of the Research and Education Center... Read More