Dogs Find Lanternfly Eggs at Twice the Rate of Experts

Quick Take

• The dogs outperforming lanternfly experts aren't elite working breeds, and what makes them effective will surprise you. See the study results →
• Human experts had already searched these crop areas, so how did the dogs still manage to find egg masses that they missed? Find out how dogs did it →
• Spotted lanternflies could drain the U.S. economy of hundreds of millions annually, and the window to stop them is smaller than most people realize. See the economic damage →
• A dog's nose can do something even trained human eyes can't, and researchers are only beginning to understand why. Explore the canine advantage →

Spotted lanternflies plague the agricultural industry in 19 different states annually. The current prevention measures help slow the lanternflies but do not stop them entirely. However, ordinary dogs have now entered the fight against the spotted lanternfly and may just turn the tide.

Dogs Can Locate Spotted Lanternflies Experts Miss

Spotted lanternflies have become a financial and agricultural problem in the United States over the past decade. Although experts comb the crops of those who grow trees and plants that attract spotted lanternflies to remove eggs, some eggs are still missed. Missed eggs can result in lost income and, in some cases, the loss of entire crops, which is devastating for the agricultural community.

According to a new study published in Zoological Science, dogs may prove to be the tool needed to put an end to spotted lanternfly infestations. These dogs are not specially bred to detect spotted lanternflies. Instead, they are ordinary dogs that undergo training, which enables them to find spotted lanternfly eggs more effectively than human experts.

Dogs were tested to see if they could sniff out spotted lanternfly eggs. In dense vegetation, they outperformed trained human searchers by a ratio of 2:1. Additionally, the dogs found egg masses that were missed in roped-off crop areas being searched.

By including dogs in the fight against spotted lanternflies, the goal is for them to detect eggs in areas already known to have the flies and to serve as early detectors in new locations where lanternfly activity has not yet been identified.

Why Dogs Are a Welcome Addition to the Fight Against Spotted Lanternflies

Involving dogs in the fight against spotted lanternflies has proven to be beneficial. They can sniff out lanternfly eggs while ignoring other smells in the environment. As a result, dogs have a higher success rate than experts who search for eggs visually, finding an average of three egg-mass locations each compared to 1.3 for each human searcher.

According to Erica Feuerbacher, a professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences, the dogs’ noses are so sensitive that they can distinguish the odor of spotted lanternfly eggs from other environmental odors. The hope is that this will help make a significant impact on the spotted lanternfly population before further infestations occur.

“This research found that dogs can discriminate between spotted lanternfly egg masses and other potential distractor odors and confirms that detection dogs can be used as an effective partner to help in spotted lanternfly eradication efforts,” Feuerbacher explained to the American Kennel Club. “The results from the Texas Tech lab enhanced how we are training the dog-handler teams, understanding what distractor odors, such as bark or grass, we need to train the dogs to ignore.”

Why Are Spotted Lanternflies a Problem?

Spotted lanternflies are an invasive species from China, Vietnam, and India. They are believed to have arrived in the United States in a shipping container that was contaminated with the insects. They were first spotted in the U.S. in 2014 in Pennsylvania. Since then, the spotted lanternfly has invaded 19 states.

From an agricultural standpoint, the spotted lanternfly is problematic as it kills trees. The flies do this by feeding on tree sap. Feeding on the sap weakens the trees, resulting in lower fruit yields and, eventually, the death of the trees.

Financially, the spotted lanternfly could cause $324 million in annual losses if left unchecked. Some estimates put the figure as high as $554 million. These losses include job losses, crop losses, low yields, and damage to trees. This is why methods such as dogs searching for egg nests are being used to combat spotted lanternflies, along with traditional methods used over the last decade.

How to Battle Spotted Lanternflies

Because spotted lanternflies are typically preyed upon only by praying mantises and spined soldier bugs, their populations can quickly grow out of control. This is why it is necessary to eradicate the insects as quickly as they are located.

The best ways to keep spotted lanternflies from spreading include:

• Physically removing spotted lanternflies in the early morning when they are less active
• Scrape away eggs from the surfaces to which they are attached
• Apply sticky tape to the trunks of trees that the spotted lanternflies are known to target
• Spray nymphs and adult flies with a mixture of dish soap and water to kill them on contact
• Place traps near trees where the flies target

Insecticides are also a possibility. However, they are not a preferred option for everyone, especially if spotted lanternflies are targeting fruit trees or grapevines.

The key to stopping spotted lanternflies is to stop them before their eggs hatch. The sooner they are found, the better. If dogs can help do this naturally, all the better.