Trained Dogs and Humans Team Up to Combat Spotted Lanternfly Infestations

New research highlights the complementary strengths of canine scent detection and human visual searches in early detection of this invasive pest threatening U.S. agriculture.

• Spotted lanternflies, first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, have spread to 18 states, severely impacting vineyards, fruit trees, and hops.
• A Cornell University study found that trained dogs excel at detecting lanternfly egg masses in forested areas, while humans are more effective in structured vineyard settings.
• In forests, dogs detected egg masses at rates over three times higher than humans, leveraging their scent-based detection abilities in complex environments.
• Humans outperformed dogs in vineyards, detecting nearly twice as many egg masses due to systematic visual searches on vines and poles.
• The study recommends combining human and canine detection methods to enhance early surveillance and limit the pest’s spread, especially near forest boundaries.

3 Articles

ScienceDaily Study Finds Phys.org