Researchers at Virginia Tech have demonstrated that dogs can effectively detect the invasive spotted lanternfly, offering a potential solution to combat this destructive pest.
Catching the spotted lanternfly early is crucial, but locating its eggs can be a challenging task. This is where dogs, with their exceptional sense of smell, come into play.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have revealed that man’s best friend may also serve as one of nature’s best defenses against this invasive pest. For the first time, a study has shown that pet dogs could help mitigate the rapid spread of the spotted lanternfly.
The spotted lanternfly feeds on various plants and excretes a sugary substance known as honeydew, which encourages mold growth. Due to their destructive nature, some states have initiated campaigns urging residents to stomp on these pests upon sight. Experts emphasize that the real solution lies in eliminating their egg masses, which can be difficult to locate as they often resemble dried mud and blend in with their surroundings.
“Dogs have one dominant sense. It’s their nose. We use our eyes. Dogs use their nose like their eyes,” explained Katie Thomas, a participant in the study.
Thomas and her nine-year-old pit bull mix, Finch, took part in the study, aiming to apply their years of recreational scent work to a pressing environmental issue. They underwent both indoor and outdoor tests, successfully sniffing out egg masses and receiving rewards when Finch accurately identified them.
“To be able to do things that we already do, that we are having a lot of fun with… train our dogs to sniff stuff, being able to apply that to something like a real problem that affects our community is really fulfilling,” Thomas remarked.
The spotted lanternfly is native to Asia and was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania over a decade ago. Since then, it has spread to 19 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“They are everywhere, and we need to search out the eggs. The problem is it’s too late once we have the lanternfly,” said Carolyn Shelburne, another study participant.
Shelburne and her nine-year-old border collie, Hermes, were among the first five K9 and handler teams to pass their field tests. In total, 182 volunteer teams from across the U.S. participated in the study.
During indoor tests, dogs correctly identified the lanternfly scent more than 80% of the time. In real-world outdoor tests, they identified the scent correctly over 60% of the time, which is still superior to most human searches.
“Hopefully, more people will see that you can train any dog to do this, and it gives you something fun to do with your dog,” Shelburne added.
Researchers are optimistic that this is just the beginning for dogs in protecting local environments. Even in areas where spotted lanternflies are not currently a problem, dogs could potentially be trained to detect other invasive species.
This innovative approach not only highlights the capabilities of dogs but also underscores the importance of early detection in managing invasive pests, ensuring the health of local ecosystems.
According to Virginia Tech, the study represents a promising step forward in the fight against the spotted lanternfly and other invasive species.