The Massachusetts Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program conducts science-based state and national surveys targeting exotic plant pests, diseases, and weeds identified as threats to U.S. agriculture and/or the environment. These activities are accomplished under USDA funding that is provided through cooperative agreements with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Surveys conducted through the CAPS Program represent a second line of defense against the entry of harmful plant pests and weeds. The mission of the CAPS program is to provide information about exotic plant pests of regulatory significance in the United States through early detection and surveillance.
Current and Past Survey Data
Proposed 2026 CAPS Survey List:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Box tree moth | Cydalima perspectalis |
| Spotted lanternfly | Lycorma delicatula |
| Rosy tussock moth | Lymantria mathura |
| Oak ambrosia beetle | Platypus quercivorus |
| Oak processionary moth | Thaumetopoea processionea |
2025 CAPS Survey List:
Due to staffing shortages, CAPS surveys were not performed. Available staff focused on spotted lanternfly and box tree moth survey and detection. Please see our pest dashboard for detailed locations of those finds.
2024 CAPS Survey List:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Masson pine moth | Dendrolimus punctatus |
| Nun moth | Lymantria monacha |
| Oak Ambrosia beetle | Platypus quercivorus |
| Oak processionary moth | Thaumetopoea processionea |
| Pine processionary moth | Thaumetopoea pityocampa |
| Rosy moth | Lymantria mathura |
Additional 2024 Pest and Pathogen Surveys, funded through the Plant Protection Act :
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Summer fruit Tortrix moth | Adoxyphes orana |
| Citrus longhorned beetle | Anoplophora chinensis |
| Asian longhorned beetle | Anoplophora glabripennis |
| Silver Y moth | Autographa gamma |
| Masson pine moth | Dendrolimus punctatus |
| Apple Proliferation disease | Candidatus Phytoplasma mali 16SrX-A |
| European Stonefruit yellows | Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum 16SrX-F |
| Christmas berry webworm | Cryptoblabes gnidiella |
| Box tree moth | Cydalima perspectalis |
| Plum fruit moth | Grapholita funebrana |
| Old World bollworm | Helicoverpa armigera |
| European grapevine moth | Lobesia botrana |
| Spotted lanternfly | Lycorma delicatula |
| Ramorum blight | Phytophthora ramorum |
| European cherry fruit fly | Rhagoletis cerasi |
2024 CAPS Survey Results: Surveys were completed. Ramorum blight was confirmed on imported nursery stock at two locations; mitigation occurred and no new positives were found. Box tree moth was found in more Barnstable County towns. Additional spotted lanternfly infestations were also confirmed. Please see our pest dashboard for details. No other species from the lists above were found.
2023 CAPS Survey List:
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Asian longhorned beetle | Anoplophora glabripennis |
| Black spruce/Brown longhorned spruce beetle | Tetropium castaneum/Tetropium fuscum |
| Box tree moth | Cydalima perspectalis |
| European cherry fruit fly | Rhagoletis cerasi |
| European grapevine moth | Lobesia botrana |
| Light brown apple moth | Epiphyas postvittana |
| Masson pine moth | Dendrolimus punctatus |
| Mile-a-minute vine | Persicaria perfoliata |
| Pine processionary moth | Thaumetopoea pityocampa |
| Pine sawfly | Diprion pini |
| Plum fruit moth | Grapholita funebrana |
| spotted lanternfly | Lycorma delicatula |
| Summer fruit Tortrix moth | Adoxophes orana |
2023 CAPS Survey Results: Box tree moth was found in Barnstable County, but not through CAPS survey. Additional spotted lanternfly infestations were also confirmed. Please see our pest dashboard for details. No other species from the list above were found.