The nursery industry has a large economic impact in the state of Kentucky.  Nursery and greenhouse crop production and landscape services had 8,910 direct jobs and an overall employment impact of 15,723 jobs with $392 million in total sales and a value added impact of $1.3 billion to Kentucky's economy in 2018 (UK Cooperative Extension publication HO-108).

In 2024, Kentucky had 550 licensed nurseries in the state and 925 licensed nursery dealers (up from 495 nurseries and 913 nursery dealers in 2023).

Many moth pests attack popular trees and ornamentals that are sold in Kentucky’s nurseries.  This trapping survey will safeguard this economically important industry.   

For the  nursery survey we will set 4 different traps in 10 nurseries. Each trap targets a different moth pest of concern: Summer Fruit Tortix, Box Tree Moth, False Codling Moth, and Oak Processionary Moth.  One trap for each insect pest, baited with the appropriate lure, will be in place from May to September/October. 

We will also conduct a visual survey for Imported Fire Ants since they can accidentally be moved in the soil of nursery stock and for Spotted Lanternfly since they feed on a wide variety of plants.