New Strategies to Combat Spotted Lanternfly Spread

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect first identified in the U.S. about ten years ago, has gradually expanded its reach across the East Coast and into the Midwest, creating significant challenges for local environments.

In response, researchers are starting to employ innovative solutions to help contain this pest. One particularly interesting approach involves specially trained dogs that are capable of detecting the eggs of these insects before they hatch.

While the spotted lanternfly poses no threat to humans, it inflicts considerable damage on tree and fruit crops, feeding off the sap of more than 70 different species of plants.

Since late last year, four dogs have been actively searching throughout parks in the Cleveland region, examining trees, shrubs, park benches, rocks, and even hidden spots around bridge pillars. Each clump of eggs they discover can lead to the emergence of 30-50 new spotted lanternflies.

So far, these dogs have uncovered over 4,000 egg masses. This effort has played a role in eradicating approximately 200,000 sap-sucking insects, which are harmful to grapes, fruit trees, hops, and hardwoods, according to Connie Houseman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metro Park.

In just a few hours one April day at the Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, the dogs found around 1,100 egg clumps. Houseman remarked on the productivity of the dogs, emphasizing that it’s not just their keen noses that make them effective; they’re specially trained for this task.

“They all have great noses,” she explained, “but not all of them qualify. They needed to pass tests to demonstrate their abilities.”

This training process was part of a research initiative led by Virginia Tech, aimed at reducing the spread of this East Asian native insect, identifiable by its unique black spots and bright red wing markings. A grant from the USDA facilitated this project, which has been informally dubbed Dog Citizen Science Research. This effort saw collaboration between a Virginia Tech professor and researchers at Texas Tech, who encouraged dog owners to get involved with their pets.

The four dogs currently working in Cleveland, all owned by local residents, had prior scent training before teaming up with Virginia Tech to refine their capabilities in detecting the spotted lanternfly.

When the dogs successfully locate a new egg clump, they are rewarded with a treat from their handler, who then collects the chunks of eggs.

Interestingly, female spotted lanternflies typically begin laying their eggs from late August to November, and while adults perish in winter, the egg masses can survive the cold. These pests are known to lay eggs on a variety of surfaces including tree trunks and even the undersides of vehicles.

Flint, a Border Collie, was specifically trained by Virginia Tech owner and trainer Sally Dickinson to identify these troublesome bugs. Dickinson tested Flint’s skills at the Virginia Tech Agricultural Center, where his keen sense of smell impressed her. She also advocates for dog owners to train their pets to assist in pest control, regardless of breed.

“There’s considerable research demonstrating that every dog has a sense of smell,” she noted. “Sure, perhaps a dog with a flatter nose might not excel in hot climates over extended periods, but the possibility certainly exists.”