Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist

Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist Nursery Licenses; Phytosanitary Certificates; Invasive Pest Surveys The State Entomologist for Kentucky is also the Chair of the Department of Entomology.

While most State Entomologists offices are associated with Departments of Agriculture in their state, our office is located at the University of Kentucky. Our office is responsible for the licensing of businesses and individuals that buy, sell, ship, or distribute nursery stock for commercial or monetary gain in Kentucky. This would include, but is not limited to, nurseries, garden centers and lan

dscapers. We conduct annual inspections of nurseries and assist nursery owner/managers with their pest problems. We also work with a variety of federal, state and local agencies to conduct surveys for exotic pests and develop management strategies for them.

"In the United States, alpha-gal syndrome is often framed as a quirky Southern problem: a lone star tick bite that leave...
05/03/2026

"In the United States, alpha-gal syndrome is often framed as a quirky Southern problem: a lone star tick bite that leaves its victims allergic to red meat.

But cases show up on every continent except Antarctica, and they aren’t all associated with the same species of tick. The review lists at least 12 tick species linked to alpha-gal syndrome all over the world."

A new review details the current state of scientific knowledge on alpha-gal syndrome, a severe allergy to red meat and other products containing alpha-gal sugars.

We hope to see you in Frankfort on Saturday!
04/15/2026

We hope to see you in Frankfort on Saturday!

Our department chair is leading a new project that could help farmers fight some of agriculture’s hardest-to-control ins...
04/14/2026

Our department chair is leading a new project that could help farmers fight some of agriculture’s hardest-to-control insect pests with a method designed to hit the target and leave other insects alone.

A University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment researcher is leading a new project that could help farmers fight some of agriculture’s hardest-to-control insect pests with a method designed to hit the target and leave other insects alone.

This informative article was coauthored by our department's own bee expert, Dr. Clare Rittschof. 🐝🐝🐝
04/13/2026

This informative article was coauthored by our department's own bee expert, Dr. Clare Rittschof. 🐝🐝🐝

The accusations you may have heard about nonnative honey bees aren’t backed by evidence. Entomologists explain that there are plenty of ways bees make the world a better place.

According to research from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), reported tick-borne diseases increased by 1...
03/27/2026

According to research from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), reported tick-borne diseases increased by 128% between 2020 and ’23. Most notably, cases of Lyme disease skyrocketed by approximately 275% during that same three-year period. Kentucky now ranks among the top 25 U.S. states with the highest risk for tick-borne illness.

Brian Stevenson, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Department of Entomology, is leading two separate but related studies aimed at fighting Lyme disease...

We'll have a table at this event! Mark your calendars and we hope to see you there!
03/25/2026

We'll have a table at this event! Mark your calendars and we hope to see you there!

03/18/2026

Some good news!

03/17/2026

The first eastern tent caterpillars (ETC) of the season are now emerging. Initial sightings have been recently reported in Fayette County, and UK Martin-Gatton CAFE entomologists say the hatch is now occurring statewide. The normal time for egg hatch is when the forsythia bloom starts and when the first Eastern redbud blooms emerge.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4shaADM

Are freezing winters or hot summers enough to wipe out bugs? Join us on From the Woods Today as entomologist Dr. Jonatha...
03/11/2026

Are freezing winters or hot summers enough to wipe out bugs? Join us on From the Woods Today as entomologist Dr. Jonathan Larson digs into this popular myth and shares what really happens to insects when temps soar or plunge! Join the From the Woods Today webinar today at 11 am!

From the Woods Today Watch From the Woods Today LIVE From The Woods Today 11 a.m. Wednesdays From the Woods Today is a weekly internet show co-hosted by Renee' Williams and Billy Thomas and the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team. Join us live by clicking the watch LIVE button watch or....

Dr Larson is an informative and very entertaining speaker! You don’t want to miss this one!
03/04/2026

Dr Larson is an informative and very entertaining speaker! You don’t want to miss this one!

Join Fayette County Horticulture Agent Jamie Dockery and UK Department of Entomology's Dr. Johnathan Larson for an informative session on new emerging insect pest threats in central Kentucky.

When: March 5th, 6:00 PM
Where: 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington

Address

Lexington, KY

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+18592575838

Website

http://www.UnluckyForKentucky.com/

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