Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that dogs can effectively detect the invasive spotted lanternfly, offering a promising solution to combat its rapid spread.
Early detection of the spotted lanternfly is crucial, yet locating its eggs poses a significant challenge. This is where dogs come into play, utilizing their exceptional sense of smell to aid in the effort.
According to researchers at Virginia Tech, dogs may serve as a vital ally in the fight against this invasive pest. For the first time, a study has demonstrated that pet dogs can assist in curbing the swift proliferation of the spotted lanternfly.
The spotted lanternfly feeds on various plants and excretes a sugary substance known as honeydew, which fosters mold growth. Due to their destructive nature, some states have initiated campaigns encouraging residents to stomp on these pests upon sight. Experts emphasize that the key to controlling their population lies in eliminating their egg masses, which can be challenging to locate as they often resemble dried mud and blend into their surroundings.
“Dogs have one dominant sense. It’s their nose. We use our eyes. Dogs use their nose like their eyes,” said Katie Thomas, a participant in the study.
Thomas, along with her nine-year-old pit bull mix, Finch, took part in the study with the hope of applying their years of recreational scent work to a pressing environmental issue. They underwent a series of indoor and outdoor tests, successfully sniffing out egg masses, with Finch receiving recognition for his accurate detections.
“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, originally from Asia, was first identified in the United States over a decade ago in Pennsylvania. Since then, it has spread to 19 states, according to the United States 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, along with her nine-year-old border collie, Hermes, was among the first five K9 and handler teams to successfully complete their field tests. In total, 182 volunteer teams from across the United States participated in the study.
During indoor tests, dogs correctly identified the scent of the lanternfly more than 80% of the time. In real-world outdoor tests, they achieved a correct identification rate of over 60%, which surpasses the accuracy of 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 expressed.
Researchers are optimistic that this initiative marks the beginning of a broader role for dogs in protecting local ecosystems. Even in regions where spotted lanternflies are not yet a concern, dogs could be trained to detect other invasive species, enhancing efforts to safeguard the environment.
As the fight against the spotted lanternfly continues, the collaboration between humans and dogs may prove to be an invaluable asset in preserving local flora and fauna, according to Virginia Tech.