Dogs trained to detect spotted lanterns eggs

Blacksburg, Virgina – Virginia Tech researchers say that man’s best friend can also be one of the best defenses in nature against an invasive pest. For the first time, a study shows that pet dogs could help stop the rapid spread of the spotted tab.

Spotted lanterns feed on different plants and excrete a sweet substance called Honeydew, which promotes the growth of mold. They are considered so destructive that some states have launched campaigns urging residents to trample them. Experts say that the real solution is to eliminate their egg masses, but they can be difficult to find because they often look like dried mud and can blend into their environment.

This is where dogs can enter to help with their strong smell.

“Dogs have a dominant meaning. It is their nose. We use our eyes. Dogs use their noses like their eyes,” said Katie Thomas, participant in the study.

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Katie Thomas rewards her dog, Finch, after having located a target fragrance (Kailey Schuyler)

Thomas and his nine -year -old Pitbull mixture, Finch participated in the study, hoping to put their years for good use of their recreational years. They spent interior and exterior tests, sniffing the egg masses and receiving a price when Finch was right on money.

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“To be able to do things that we already do, with which we have a lot of fun with … Train our dogs to sniff things, being able to apply this to something like a real problem that affects our community is really fulfilling,” said Thomas.

The spotted lantern is from Asia and was detected for the first time in the United States in Pennsylvania over ten years ago. Since then, he has spread to 19 states, according to the USDA.

The spotted lantern has an impact on agriculture mainly in the Midwest and the Northeast (Fox News)

“They are everywhere, and we have to look for eggs. The problem is that it is too late once we have the lantern,” said Carolyn Shelburne, a study.

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Carolyn Shelburne and his dog, Hermès, are looking for a target fragrance (Kailey Schuyler)

Carolyn and his Border Collie, 9, Hermès, were one of the first five K9 teams and managers to pass their tests on the ground. In the end, 182 volunteer teams in the United States participated in the study.

For interior tests, dogs have correctly identified the lantern perfume more than 80% of the time. For more real outdoor tests, dogs have correctly identified the scent more than 60% of the time. It’s always better than most human research.

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“I hope more people will see that you can train any dog to do it, and that gives you something fun to do with your dog,” said Shelburne.

The researchers hope that this is only the start of dogs to protect local environments. Even in areas where the most spotted flexions are not a problem, dogs could be trained to sniff other invasive species.