In 2017, Kentucky had 554 farms (US rank 13th) and 962 acres in apple production.  The average yield varies from 450,000 to 750,000 bushels per year with cash values ranging from $24.M to $40.6M per year. 

Kentucky's orchards have also grown tremendously in popularity as venues for playgrounds, concerts, festivals, school tours, corn mazes, and weddings.  These orchards as sites of agritourism are estimated to contribute $10B to Kentucky's tourism industry.

Many apple orchards also grow peaches, although this is not as large of a commodity in Kentucky, with 203 farms growing 371 acres of peaches in 2012 (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service).  The list of pests in this survey reflect the fact that many orchards grow both of these commodities.  There is a focus on apple pests, but many of the pests have peaches as a host as well. 

Several insect pests would be very damaging to the apple industry in Kentucky if they became established in the state. Many insects can be surveyed using pheromone trapping. Surveys allow for early detection and prevention of pest establishment in the state. We will set traps for the following insect pests: Summer Fruit Tortrix, Ambrosia Beetle, Lymantria dispar asiatica, and False Codling Moth.

We will also conduct a visual survey for Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive pest of concern for which there is no trap or lure currently available.

We will obtain permission from orchard owners to place pheromone traps in their fields and we estimate that 11 orchards will participate in the survey although the number of orchards surveyed depends on funding.