If a select agent or a pest of great agricultural concern enters a given region of the U.S. by accidental or intentional means, early detection and identification is crucial. An alert "First Detector" can recognize the pest as something unusual and immediately begin the diagnostic protocol.
First Detectors are defined as those individuals that would, in the course of their duties, be in a position to noitice an unusual outbreak, a pest of concern or symptoms of a pest of concern.
First Detectors include a wide variety of private, commercial, university and government people such as coopertive extension personnel, crop consultants, certified crop advisors, pest control advisors, agricultural inspectors, growers commercial seed representatives, Master Gardeners, Natural Resource Conservation Service (CRCS) staff, county agricultural commissioner staff, and others involved in plant growth or management.