Dean Duval

2026 ALDR FSMC CBP UPDATE

An overview of 2026 CBP FSMC programmatic improvements. Touches on Strategic Planning, National Outreach Initiatives, Statistical Review and Comparisons. CBP’s goal is provide a summary of headquarter APTL initiatives, and port inspection exclusion efforts, and field execution.

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Dean is currently serving as Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist in Charleston, SC. Prior to now,  he worked in Washington, DC CBP HQ, within APTL, as a Senior Operations Manager, responsible for national oversight FSMC. Jointly with APHIS Preclearance and Offshore Programs, he also participated in multiple visits to Asia, working with foreign counterparts to elevate engagement with Phytosanitary Certifications, and emphasis on FSMC overseas inspections.

dean.duval@cbp.dhs.gov

Hannah Hunter 

Spongy Moth: Monitoring, Mitigation, and Response

Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) is an invasive forest pest capable of causing widespread defoliation and significant impacts to tree health. This presentation will explore the biology and impacts of spongy moth, along with Davey's approach to managing infestations through population monitoring, field assessments, targeted treatments, and long-term tree health management. We'll discuss how Davey integrates arboricultural expertise, data collection, and treatment strategies to help municipalities,landowners, and communities manage outbreaks and protect their urban and natural forest resources.

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Hannah Hunter is an Associate Consultant and Project Manager with Davey Resource Group, Inc., bringing nine years of combined experience in arboriculture, horticulture, vegetation management, plant health care, and environmental consulting. She is an ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), CPESC credential holder, and licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator in South Carolina, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. Her work supports projects involving land development and conservation, with a focus on tree preservation throughout the development process, site assessments, vegetation management, and environmental compliance. With a strong background in horticulture and hands-on gardening, Hannah also has experience implementing landscape designs, assisting with plant selection and installation, and providing ongoing landscape management. She is passionate about the preservation and improvement of parks, public green spaces, and urban forests, combining her technical expertise withan appreciation for thoughtfully managed landscapes to support healthier, more resilient communities

hannah.hunter@davey.com

Patrick Engleken 

Slow the Spread Update 

Patrick Engelken is an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Forest Health and Protection unit, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Engelken specializes in forest health, focusing heavily on invasive species and their destructive impacts on forest ecosystems:

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): During his graduate research at Michigan State University, he extensively studied how the Emerald Ash Borer invasion impacts riparian forests (wooded areas next to bodies of water). His work highlights how the loss of ash trees alters vital ecosystem processes, including water filtration, nutrient cycling, and forest floor temperatures. 

Spongy Moths: He monitors local outbreaks of invasive spongy moth caterpillars. He provides guidance on how defoliation from these pests compounds weather-related stressors (like droughts) to cause severe tree mortality.

patrick.engelken@usda.gov

David Speth

Identifying the effects of aerial applications of SPLAT® SMOrganic on forested headwater streams using freshwater macroinvertebrates as indicators of disturbance

Since 2017, over 100,000 hectares per year have been treated with SPLAT® SM-Organic, successfully limiting the spread of Lymantria dispar dispar. During aerial applications, forested headwater streams cannot be reasonably avoided, but no research has assessed SPLAT® SM-Organic’s impact on said streams. By preventing spongy moth-induced defoliation of riparian vegetation, SPLAT® SM-Organic treatments indirectly benefit stream health; however, my master’s research aims to identify previously uncharacterized direct effects of the treatment on stream macroinvertebrate diversity and ecosystem processes. Aquatic macroinvertebrate communities have long been successfully used as indicators of disturbance in freshwater ecosystems and are therefore considered our primary resource for assessing stream health. The principal experiment consists of a Before-After-Control-Impact design centered on five first order streams within the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest; preliminary results suggest no effect on macroinvertebrates greater than 1 mm in size.

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David is a master’s student in Virginia Tech’s Entomology Department. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He has spent two field seasons working as a technician for the National Ecological Observatory Network, three summers as a technician at the EPA’s experimental stream facility, and over two years assisting with freshwater research at the University of Dayton. His current research aims to identify how SPLAT® SM-Organic affects forested headwater streams and their aquatic insect communities. In his free time he enjoys hiking, backpacking, and running both on and off the trail.

msdavid24@vt.edu

Heather Disque

Craig Kuhn 

Native Defoliators

After graduating with her MS from Towson University, Heather began her career with the Delaware Department of Agriculture as an Entomologist. She transferred to the Maryland Department of Agriculture as a Regional Entomologist in 2013. Since then she became the Forest Health Entomologist for Forest Pest Management and is the Spongy moth Suppression Program Coordinator.

heather.disque@maryland.gov

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Craig M. Kuhn serves as the Forest Pest Management Program Manager (or Program Director) for the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA).

In his role, Kuhn oversees statewide efforts to monitor, manage, and mitigate insect pests and diseases threatening Maryland’s forests. He handles specific programs such as the statewide spongy moth survey and control, and frequently provides expert public commentary on emerging ecological threats, such as the spread of beech leaf disease in the Chesapeake Bay region

craig.kuhn@maryland.gov 

Diana Mooij 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency update

A review of the CFIA's flighted spongy moth, spongy moth and spotted lanternfly programs for 2026.

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Diana is a Senior Program Specialist in the Invasive Alien Species section at the 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Since joining the agency she has been involved with the development and implementation of the invasive alien species program and the invasive plants program. At the CFIA, she has served as he national lead for the flighted spongy moth vessel certification program since 2012. In 2021 she also became the CFIA's program lead for spotted lanternfly.

diana.mooij@inspection.gc.ca

Sonia Bruck 

Benefit-Cost Analysis of the Slow the Spread Program: An update through 2045

Spongy moth [Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)], formerly known as gypsy moth, is a non-native invasive defoliator pest to the United States (U.S.). The National Slow the Spread (STS) Program was piloted in 1992 and fully implemented in 2000. Current management of spongy moth populations consists of large-scale suppression treatments and monitoring along the buffer zone. We computed the costs and costs avoided to human health, tourism and recreation, and willingness to pay for a public management program with and without the STS Program. We found that from 2007 to 2023 the Benefit Cost (B:C) Ratio was between 1.60 and 2.31, and from 2024 to 2045 we expect a return of between 3.81 and 5.58.

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Bruck is a Research Economist with the U.S. Forest Service - Southern Research Station. They research forestry and natural resource management topics to generate economic information that is useful to the scientific community and key stakeholders. Bruck focuses their research on timber markets, forest products and trade, and forest disturbances.

sonia.bruck@usda.gov

Sky Stephens

USDA Forest Service Program Updates

Overview of the Forest Health Protection program and guiding Forest Service priorities. A review of recent pest issues and FHP investments with a  discussion on FY2025 outlooks and FHP's role in future spongy moth efforts.

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Sky currently serves as the National Entomologist with Forest Health Protection (USDA-FS-State, Private and Tribal Forestry). She has worked as a forest health specialist and entomologist for almost 15 years with positions at the Washington Office, Region 2, and with the Colorado State Forest Service. Sky is currently responsible for National level program management in entomology, genetic conservation, resistance and restoration, and supports annual conditions reporting, and accountability metrics. She works to leverage forest health data and partnerships into strategic investments that support healthy and resilient forests.

stephanie.s.stephens@usda.gov

Houping Liu

Major Native Defoliators: Nuisance or Serious Threat?

Native defoliators are integral parts of the forest ecosystems. Population can reach outbreak levels occasionally but are generally regulated by existing biotic and abiotic factors in the habitats. Tree mortality rarely occurs in post-infested stands. As a result, active pest suppression measures are not required normally. However, with increasing drought stress, frost damage, and invasive species (e. g., spongy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash borer, beech leaf disease) to the same forest, a change of strategy may be needed as trees become more vulnerable to common infestations. Here we present a brief history of ten of the most visible species in the state and use the fall cankerworm as an example to highlight the need for active monitoring and basic studies on their biology and population dynamics for successful forest management in Pennsylvania.

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Dr. Houping Liu is the Forest Entomologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He leads and coordinates research, survey, detection, and management of invasive and native forest pests in Pennsylvania. He has over three decades of experience working with forest pest management projects.He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers, 5 book chapters and served as a reviewer for 30+ journals and various grants. His research interests include invasive species management, biological control, population ecology, general biology, insect pathology, and chemical control

hliu@pa.gov

Sayesha Khanna 

Informing Spongy Moth Management at the Invasion Front: When to Spray Btk and What Are the Non-Target Effects?

Aerial applications of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) are widely used to suppress spongy moth(Lymantria dispar subsp. dispar) populations at the invasion front in the Upper Midwest, where accurate prediction of egg hatch is critical for targeting susceptible early larval stages. Because existing degree-day models were developed outside of Minnesota and may not accurately predict egg hatch under northern climatic conditions, I am developing a regional phenology model using laboratory experiments with locally collected egg masses. The model is being validated using field observations from Minnesota and Wisconsin collected in 2025 and 2026 and compared with existing spongy moth egg hatch models to assess predictive accuracy. In parallel, to address public concerns about the impacts of Btk on native Lepidoptera, I evaluated larval and adult moth communities at paired Btk-treated and untreated sites in Minnesota during the treatment year and the following year. Together, these studies aim to improve Btk application timing and inform public engagement regarding the environmental safety of Btk. 

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Sayesha Khanna is a Ph.D. candidate in Entomology at the University of Minnesota under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Aukema. Originally from India, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University and a European Commission-funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Plant Health, studying in Spain and France. Her doctoral research focuses on predicting spongy moth (Lymantria dispar subsp. dispar) egg hatch timing at the invasion front in the Upper Midwest to improve the timing of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) applications. She also investigates the effects of Btk on non-target Lepidoptera communities to inform environmentally responsible management practices. Her long-term goal is to lead a land-grant research and extension program that advances sustainable integrated pest management of invasive insects and delivers science-based solutions to stakeholders.

sayesha.pau@gmail.com

Damon Reabe

Single Pilot Task Management

Single Pilot Task Management is a process utilized by aerial applicators to prevent an experience known as task saturation. The experience of task saturation leads to a cognitive decline known as situational blindness. Task saturation and situational blindness are not aviation specific experiences and in fact all ofus have experienced them at different times in our daily lives. This presentation is designed to create awareness of these concepts, showcase the phases of flight that contain the most tasks and threats and depict how aerial applicators organize these tasks and threats to prevent task saturation. The audience can use this insight to re-examine aviation program procedures to determine if each procedure enhances pilot safety.

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Damon is a third generation aerial applicator from Wisconsin operating ten fixed wing aircraft and one helicopter. Dairyland Aviation performs aerial applications in agricultural and forestry settings throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Damon serves the National Agricultural Aviation Association as the Chair of the Government Relations Committee, Vice Chair of the Professional Agricultural Aviation Support System (PAASS) Program Development Committee in addition to presenting PAASS safety presentations throughout the country. He has served six years on the EPA's federally appointed Pesticide Programs Dialogue Committee representing the aerial application industry. He is married to Mary, a third generationcorporate pilot; together they have two children, Caroline and Max who are also certified pilots.

damon@dairylandaviation.com

Max Lasiter

SPLAT SM-O Homeowner Formulation 

Max will discuss background on the product’s development and future potential uses. 

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Max started his career working with his family’s citrus business in California. He has worked as a grower producing ornamentals and developed an interest in field research during his time in the ornamental industry. With his commercial and research experience, he joined Isca’s team in 2022 as a Product Development Lead, working his way up to his current role as Product and Field Development Manager. Max handles all technical support and research projects for Isca’s current and future products, serving as the interface between Isca’s development team and the end users of their products. 

mlasiter@isca.com

Laurel Downs

Communication strategies, successes, and challenges

 Communicating issues and management practices related to forest health and invasive species has its pitfalls, but we can learn from each other's experience as well as the research for effective strategies. This will be an open group discussion to share ideas, questions, success stories, and lessons learned.

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Laurel has worked for The Nature Conservancy, Forest Pest and Pathogen Program since May 2021. She is the outreach coordinator for the “Don’t Move Firewood” campaign. As part of this work, she conducts research, writing, regulatory review, communication, and educational outreach regarding invasive forest pests and the firewood pathway of spread in North America.

laurel.downs@tnc.org

Jim Altemus

Operational Considerations for UAV Aerial Application

Although unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will not replace manned aircraft, they are here to stay and willcontinue to play an increasing role in aerial application. As UAV use becomes more common, there are important operational, safety, regulatory, and application   considerations that need to be addressed. This session will explore some of these key considerations and provide an opportunity for participants of ALDR to share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from using UAVs in aerial applications

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Jim Altemus currently serves as the National Lymantria Management Board’s Aerial Application Safety Committee Chair. He is a Forest Health Program Specialist with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Forestry. Jim has been a part of the Division of Forest Health since 2015, following his work as a forester in the Inventory and Monitoring Section from 2014 to 2015. In addition to his key role in Pennsylvania’s Spongy Moth Suppression Program, Jim alsoserves as the statewide coordinator for the Commonwealth’s Aerial Survey Program.

jamaltemus@pa.gov

David Coyle

South Carolina Welcome and Invasive Pest Update

Dr. David Coyle is an Associate Professor of Forest Health and Invasive Species in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. He started at the university in August 2018 and heavily focuses his research and extension work on the detection, ecological impact, and management of invasive species, forest insects, and tree health.  He holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin, an M.S. in Entomology and Forestry from Iowa State University, and a B.A. in Biology from Luther College. 

His prominent research areas include the management of Asian longhorned beetles, Joro spiders, southern pine beetles, oak defoliators, cogongrass, and kudzu. He directs the regional Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program, providing education and training to landowners and forestry professionals across the southeastern U.S.

Other: Bradford Pear Bounty: Dr. Coyle created and runs the highly recognized South Carolina Bradford Pear Bounty Program, which encourages the removal of invasive Bradford pear trees.

Leadership: He is the former president of the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and serves on the South Carolina Invasive Species Advisory Group.

dcoyle@clemson.edu 

Maria Gonalez 

ValentBiosciences - BTk Basics

 Valent Health (part of Sumitomo Biorational Company) is a global leader in the production of Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki) products. Btk is a naturally occurring soil bacterium used as a highly targeted biological insecticide to control caterpillar and moth larvae (Lepidoptera) without harming humans, birds, or pollinators.

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Maria Gonzalez is the Global Forest Health Business Manager at Valent Health. She brings a strong background in the biological insecticide industry, combining technical expertise with a practical understanding of customer needs. With more than five years at Valent Health, she has worked closely with previous leaders in the Forest Health business, gaining valuable insight and knowledge into the industry.

Core Btk Products & Brands

Foray®: Primarily formulated for public health and forestry management programs to eradicate invasive species like the spongy moth.  

Mimic® (Tebufenozide) is a highly selective biorational insect growth regulator (IGR) manufactured by Valent BioSciences. It is primarily utilized in forestry and land management to control the larvae (caterpillars) of destructive lepidopteran pests, such as spongy moths, tent caterpillars, and budworms 

maria.gonzalez@valent.com