Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that dogs can effectively detect the invasive spotted lanternfly, offering a promising solution to combat its rapid spread.
Catching the spotted lanternfly early is crucial, but locating its eggs can be a challenging task. This is where dogs come into play, utilizing their exceptional sense of smell to assist in the effort.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have revealed that dogs, often referred to as man’s best friend, may also serve as one of nature’s best defenses against this invasive pest. For the first time, a study indicates that pet dogs could help mitigate the swift spread 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 urging residents to stomp on these pests upon sight. However, experts emphasize that the most effective solution lies in eliminating their egg masses, which can be difficult 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,” explained Katie Thomas, a participant in the study.
Thomas and her nine-year-old pit bull mix, Finch, took part in the study, eager to apply their years of recreational scent work to a real-world problem. They underwent both indoor and outdoor tests, successfully sniffing out egg masses, with Finch receiving accolades for his accuracy.
“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 identified 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, along with her nine-year-old border collie, Hermes, was 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 scent of the lanternfly more than 80% of the time. In real-world outdoor tests, they achieved a success rate of over 60%, 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 regions where spotted lanternflies are not yet a concern, dogs could be trained to detect other invasive species.
As the fight against invasive pests continues, the collaboration between humans and dogs may prove to be a vital component in safeguarding ecosystems across the country, according to Virginia Tech.