NATIONAL DETECTOR DOG TRAINING CENTER

NATIONAL DETECTOR DOG TRAINING CENTER

Overview Current Domestic Programs Completed Domestic Pilots and/or Proof of Concept projects Considerations for canine programs Fruit fly larvae detection pilot Wood boring insect frass detection pilot

Domestic Canine Programs CDFA Parcel Detection- 13 canines FDACS Parcel Detection-3 canines (one currently in training) FDACS Mollusk Detection- 1 canine CBNEP Nutria Detection- 5 canines USFWS Cargo/Parcel Detection-7 canines PPQ Passenger and Parcel Preclearance Hawaii-5 canines (one currently in training) Puerto Rico-2 canines HDOA Brown Tree Snake/Agriculture Detection-4 canines Guam Wildlife Services Brown Tree Snake Detection-14 canines

Asian Long-horned Beetle FY2011-2012 Canine teams surveyed regulated areas in Massachusetts and Ohio for ALB frass. Canines demonstrated 80-90% proficiency on trials in controlled environment in boxes and firewood, and field environment on residential trees and wooded lots.

Mollusk Survey FY2010-2013 Surveys were conducted in 20 states and Puerto Rico Canines teams surveyed high risk areas including ports and tile importers, delimited known infestations, and provided a secondary measure of confidence in eradication areas Live snail

Giant African Snail Detection/Delimitation Pilot training conducted in 2012 and 2013 determined that canines could successfully discriminate GAS among native and widely introduced snails FDACS DPI created 2 canine handler positions for this program. GAS

Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Canine teams were deployed on SITC operations in 10 states from FY2010-2011 Canines were trained to locate specific agriculture products of interest, often among other agriculture products.

Nutria Scat Detection NDDTC trainers have completed a proof of concept trial for training a canine to detect nutria scat. NDDTC is currently developing a handler course for the detection of nutria scat.

P. ramorum discrimination proof of concept trials Conducted in a lab setting in Beltsville and a greenhouse in Fort Dietrich Canine was able to discriminate P. ramorum among other Phytophthora species in petri dishes and on infected leaves with >90% accuracy.

Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Detection Proof of concept trials were conducted at the NDDTC, the Appalachian Fruit Research Station and surrounding area. Canines attained >92% proficiency on ground and >84% proficiency on trees after 2 weeks of training in the field. B M S B

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in HI Pilot project was conducted to train canine to locate larvae in mulch in ground. Canine was able to detect CRB larvae with 90% proficiency in controlled environment and 83% proficiency in live environment. Canine was also able to detect larvae up to 10 deep in mulch in controlled trial with overall 82% proficiency.

Why use canine teams? Enhance programs by increasing survey, assisting with delimitation and conducting monitoring of high risk areas Increase front line inspections of potential pathways to prevent spread of pests within the US Complement programs to provide secondary measure of confidence Identify areas to focus resources Provide positive outreach

Successful canine programs will include: Availability of target material for training and deployment Ability to confirm canine responses in the field rapidly prior to rewarding canine Use of canine abilities advantageously in conjunction with existing inspection, survey or eradication programs Coordination with the NDDTC to determine timelines and logistics for canine team availability. This includes task analysis, procurement and pre-deployment training, canine team deployments and assessment of results.

Challenges for canine programs Resources Must evolve as program changes Seasonality of pests Safety concerns for canines and handlers Expectations Canines will not replace human workers/survey Canines are not a magic bullet Canine capacity/capabilities

NDDTC, in conjunction with the Agriculture Detector Canine Utilization CFWG, will: Conduct task analysis and pilot or proof of concept trials to determine feasibility of using canine teams for a program Make recommendations for establishing a canine program within an existing or emerging program Develop curricula for the new canine program Help develop position descriptions for new canine handlers Provide programmatic support for canine programs Conduct yearly certifications to ensure canine teams meet established standards of proficiency

Fruit Fly Larvae Detection-First Phase Pilot project to scent associate a canine to the odor of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) larvae Teach the canine to detect the larvae in a piece of fruit Teach the canine to pick out the infested fruit from non infested pieces of fruit.

Fruit Fly Larvae Detection Pilot

Fruit Fly Larvae Detection-Second Phase Continue and expand first phase Add additional fruit fly larvae of concern Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) Melon fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) Preliminary discrimination work with Drosophila larvae

Fruit Fly Larvae Detection-Phase Three (October?) Planning to deploy canines to southern border Inspect commodities coming across border Measure canine results compared to existing data Determine if this type of inspection is feasible and efficient

Office of Field Operations Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison Frass Detection Dog Pilot Presenter Field Operations

Objective To determine if a canine could detect frass within wood pallets and other wood packing materials in various concentrations in the air cargo environment. 21 Field Operations

Wood Boring Insect Interceptions 22 Field Operations

180 2017 Nationwide ITDS Pest ID Report International Trade Data System (Wood Packing Material Timber Pest) 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Jan-Feb Mar-April May-June Actionable Non-Actionable Field Operations 23

Austrian Anoplophora Detection Canine 24 Field Operations

Introducing K9 Smokey Field Operations 25

Smokey in Action Field Operations 26

Required Work Experience 27 Field Operations

Next Steps To ensure success in this discipline, a second phase of training will need to be instituted at the PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST). As infested wood is prohibited from entering the United States, use of a secure space on site at the CPHST facility will be the only viable avenue for introducing canines to fresh frass and wood boring insect odors. 28 Field Operations

Questions?

For questions about canine programs, contact: Vicki Wohlers, Acting Director USDA National Detector Dog Training Center 360 International Park Newnan, GA 30265 770-254-2526