Nursery Survey 2010-2011, 2016-2023

The nursery industry has a large economic impact in the state of Kentucky. In 2017, nursery greenhouse sales in Kentucky were approximately $83 million and were expected to total $118 million in 2021.

Kentucky currently has 495 licensed nurseries in the state and 913 licensed nursery dealers in 2023 (data from Office of the State Entomologist).

Many moth pests attack popular trees and ornamentals that are sold in Kentucky’s nurseries. Box tree moth is of particular concern since it has been found in New York, Michigan, and now very close to Kentucky’s border in Hamilton County, Ohio. Another invasive pest, Imported Fire Ants, may be accidentally moved through nursery stock. This trapping survey safeguards this economically important industry and augments yearly inspections by nursery inspectors from the Office of the State Entomologist at the University of Kentucky.

False Codling Moth
Photo: Pest and Diseases Image Library

Year	Number of Nurseries	Pests in Survey (0 found)	Map
2023	10	Oak Processionary Moth False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Box Tree Moth Imported Fire Ants
2022	10	Oak Processionary Moth False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Light Brown Apple Moth Box Tree Moth Imported Fire Ants
2021	10	Oak Processionary Moth False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Light Brown Apple Moth Box Tree Moth Imported Fire Ants
2020	10	Oak Processionary Moth False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Light Brown Apple Moth Box Tree Moth Imported Fire Ants
2019	10	Variegated Golden Tortrix Oak Processionary Moth Green Oak Tortrix False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Imported Fire Ants
2018	10	Variegated Golden Tortrix Oak Processionary Moth Green Oak Tortrix False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix Imported Fire Ants
2017	10	Variegated Golden Tortrix Oak Processionary Moth Green Oak Tortrix False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix
2016	10	Variegated Golden Tortrix Oak Processionary Moth Green Oak Tortrix False Codling Moth Summer Fruit Tortrix
2011	20	Summer Fruit Tortrix False Codling Moth Egyptian Cottonworm
2010	20	Summer Fruit Tortrix False Codling Moth Egyptian Cottonworm