Overview
- A Virginia Tech study published June 9 found trained pet dogs working with their owners located an average of three egg-mass sites per half acre in dense vegetation compared with 1.3 found by experienced human searchers.
- Distance tests showed dogs detected most egg masses within about 16 feet of their search path and detections fell to near zero beyond roughly 50 feet, so handlers must move methodically and keep dogs close to targets.
- Dogs trained on non-living (dead) spotted lanternfly egg masses successfully recognized live eggs in the field, allowing safe, low-risk training that avoids spreading the pest during practice.
- The project, funded by USDA NIFA, recommends developing community dog-owner teams for early detection and will test whether the same approach can help find other crop threats such as Pierce’s disease.
- Spotted lanternfly has spread to 19 U.S. states and attacks grapes, orchards and other crops, so faster egg detection during the May–July season could help limit economic harm to vineyards and farms.