MN CAPS is a cooperative program between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ) to survey for new and emerging plant pests (e.g., insects, nematodes, plants, fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.) that may harm agricultural or natural systems.

The State Survey Committee, which is an interagency group of plant health experts, identifies pest survey priorities for the state, based on the likelihoods pests invading the state and causing economic or environmental harm. Surveys are then developed for the pests of greatest concern. MDA conducts the surveys, with technical support, regional standardization and partial funding provided by USDA APHIS PPQ. Survey data are entered into a national pest database called the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS). Education and outreach to stakeholders and the public about invasive species is another important component of this program

The following is a list of the survey targets for the last several years of the MN CAPS program. Survey reports are available upon request, via the phone number listed below, for any of the completed surveys.

• Survey targets for MN CAPS 2011: cereal cyst nematodes, emerald ash borer, Karnal bunt, and potato cyst nematodes
  
• Survey targets for MN CAPS 2010: cereal cyst nematodes, emerald ash borer, Karnal bunt, and potato cyst nematodes
  
• Survey targets for MN CAPS 2009: cereal cyst nematodes, emerald ash borer, Karnal bunt, and potato cyst nematodes
  
• Survey targets for MN CAPS 2008: exotic wood borers (bark beetles and Sirex wood wasp), emerald ash borer, Karnal bunt, light brown apple moth, potato cyst nematodes
  
• Survey targets for MN CAPS 2007: exotic bark beetles, emerald ash borer, Karnal bunt, potato cyst nematode, Sirex wood wasp, Asian longhorned beetle, small hive beetle, soybean cyst nematode, soybean rust, sudden oak death.

In addition to the MN CAPS program, the MDA conducts additional surveys for pests of concern. The following is a list of the state survey targets. Survey reports are available upon request, via the phone number listed below, for any of the completed surveys.

• Survey targets for state survey 2011: cereal leaf beetle, exotic stink bugs, sudden death of soybean
  
• Survey targets for state survey 2010: cereal leaf beetle