Canine Detective Sniffs Out Spotted Lanternfly Eggs

The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that damages leaves and first identified in the US a decade ago, is gradually moving across the East Coast and into the Midwest. Be cautious of its spread.

However, researchers are now employing new methods to combat its expansion—specially trained dogs skilled at detecting insect eggs before they hatch.

Since late last year, four dogs have been scouring parks in the Cleveland area, searching for trees, shrubs, park benches, rocks, and egg masses hidden near bridge supports. Each cluster of eggs can yield 30-50 spotted lanternflies.

To date, the dog has uncovered over 4,000 egg masses. This has aided in controlling an insect population that threatens crops worth approximately 200,000 dollars, including grapes, fruit trees, hops, and hardwoods, according to Connie Hausman, senior conservation science manager at Cleveland Metropark.

In just a few hours in April, the dog located about 1,100 egg clusters at the Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, Hausman noted.

She emphasized that it’s not only the dogs that can be trained for this task.

“All of them have excellent noses, but not every dog qualifies,” she explained. “They had to undergo testing to demonstrate their abilities.”

These dogs were trained as part of a research initiative by a team at Virginia Tech, focusing on curbing the spread of this pest, which originates from East Asia and is identifiable by its unique black-spotted, bright red wings.

The four dogs operating in Cleveland, owned by local residents, were already trained in scent detection before collaborating with Virginia Tech to hone their skills in identifying spotted lanternfly eggs.

Whenever the dogs find a new cluster of eggs, they are rewarded with a treat from their handler who then collects the egg masses.