Overview

• Virginia Tech’s study trained 182 volunteer teams nationwide using devitalized egg masses as scent aids.
• Trained dogs achieved 82% accuracy in indoor detection and 61% in outdoor field trials, outperforming many human searches.
• Dogs that passed both tests reached 92% success in locating live egg masses after minimal additional training.
• Spotted lanternfly eggs often mimic mud or lichens and hide in bark crevices, making early detection crucial to protect crops and forests.
• The same canine detection methods identified grapevine powdery mildew with over 90% accuracy, highlighting broader agricultural applications.