Dogs sniff out costly bug threat

A groundbreaking citizen science program is training pet dogs to detect and help destroy the eggs of the invasive spotted lanternfly, an insect wreaking havoc on the US economy. These dogs, including breeds like pugs and labradors, are proving effective in locating egg masses, which are difficult for humans to spot. This initiative is crucial as the spotted lanternfly poses an existential threat to the US wine industry, with potential annual losses estimated in the billions. The insects feed on plant sap and excrete a sugary substance that promotes sooty mold, damaging crops and forests. First detected in the US in the 2010s, spotted lanternflies have since infiltrated 19 states and the District of Columbia. Climate change is expected to accelerate their spread westward. The Virginia Tech program partners with pet owners, enabling them to become volunteer dog-handler teams. Their training involves scent-recognition tests, where dogs achieve significant accuracy in identifying lanternfly egg masses. This domestic-led effort supplements government initiatives urging citizens to destroy the insects on sight, buying valuable time for more comprehensive management solutions. The program aims for a widespread impact through numerous trained teams, offering a hopeful biological solution to an escalating ecological and economic crisis.