The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that first appeared in the United States about ten years ago. Since then, it has spread rapidly across the East Coast and into the Midwest. So far, little has been able to stop its spread.
Now, researchers are using a new method to slow down this pest: specially trained dogs that can sniff out spotted lanternfly eggs before they hatch.
Spotted lanternflies do not harm humans. However, they damage trees and fruit crops. They feed on the sap of more than 70 different types of plants.
Since late last year, four dogs have been searching parks in the Cleveland area. They look for egg masses hidden on trees, shrubs, park benches, rocks, and bridge pillars. Each egg mass can contain 30 to 50 eggs. So far, the dogs have found more than 4,000 egg masses. This means they have helped remove up to 200,000 spotted lanternflies, which damage grapes, fruit trees, hops, and hardwood trees. Connie Hausman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metroparks, shared these results.
In April alone, the dogs found about 1,100 egg masses at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Hausman said.
Not every dog can do this kind of work. “They all have wonderful noses, but they’re not all eligible,” Hausman explained. The dogs must pass tests to prove they are ready to help.
The dogs were trained through a research project led by Virginia Tech University. The project aims to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly, which is native to eastern Asia. The insect is known for its black spots and bright red wing markings. The US Department of Agriculture funded the project, called the Canine Citizen Science Study. Virginia Tech worked with Texas Tech University and asked dog owners to help train their pets.
The four dogs working in Cleveland were owned by local residents. They already had scent training before joining the spotted lanternfly project. When the dogs find a new egg mass, their handlers reward them with treats after scraping away the eggs.
Female spotted lanternflies lay eggs from late August through November, or until the first frost. While adult lanternflies die in winter, their eggs survive. The eggs can be laid on many surfaces, such as tree trunks, telephone poles, rocks, and even the undersides of vehicles.
One of the trained dogs, Flint, is a border collie. His owner and trainer, Sally Dickinson, attends Virginia Tech. She took Flint to the university’s agricultural center to test his skills.
Dickinson encourages all dog owners to train their pets to help fight the pest, regardless of breed. “There is plenty of research showing that all dogs can smell well,” she said. “Maybe dogs with flat noses don’t do as well working in hot weather for long hours, but they can definitely help.”
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