Sniffing Dogs Deployed to Combat Spotted Lanternfly Spread

Researchers are deploying specially trained dogs to combat the spread of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest damaging trees and fruit crops. These dogs can sniff out the insect's eggs before they hatch, helping to slow the pest's advance. The spotted lanternfly, harmless to humans, feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species. Four dogs have been searching parks in the Cleveland area since late last year, uncovering egg masses hidden around trees and other surfaces. Each egg mass can produce 30 to 50 spotted lanternflies. The dogs have uncovered more than 4,000 egg masses, potentially eradicating as many as 200,000 bugs. The dogs were trained through a research project led by Virginia Tech University, with funding from the US Department of Agriculture. The dogs, owned by local residents, already had scent training before honing their skills to detect the spotted lanternflies. Once a new mass of eggs is spotted, the dogs get a treat from their handlers who scrape away the masses.