Regulated and invasive insect pests

Idaho agriculture is very diverse being concerned with more than 144 different commodities and products. The value of Idaho’s agricultural production is approximately $4 billion annually. Export markets are a significant sector of the agricultural economy with $789.2 million in sales (about 20 percent of the farm gate total) from international trade. ISDA is responsible for conducting pest detection surveys for a wide array of regulated and invasive pest species.

In the context of an integrated pest management system, ISDA works to exclude, regulate and manage new invaders that may have negative economic, public health and/or environmental impacts.

The Pest Survey and Detection Program maintains important partnerships with USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine and the Idaho Department of Lands. Although ISDA is involved with some established plant health issues, the department’s primary mission is to protect Idaho’s agricultural interests from new pest threats.

ISDA routinely evaluates potential pests of national concern and as resources allow conducts surveys for detection of select insect threats deemed “high risk” for Idaho. Some recent targets include European pine shoot moth, Silver Y moth, Old World Bollworm, Japanese beetle as well as Asian and European Gypsy moth.

 ISDA staff utilizes trapping and survey methods that cover whatever part(s) of the state that may be appropriate. When conducting field inspections for export certification or nursery inspections ISDA is constantly on the watch for new exotic pest threats.