Sniffing dogs join the fight against invasive spotted lanternflies

The next phase in the fight against invasive spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) in the United States might just involve man's best friend. New research from Cornell University found that trained dogs were better than humans at detecting the lanternfly eggs that spend the winter in some landscapes, particularly forested areas. The findings are detailed in a study published December 26, 2024 in the journal Ecosphere. The spotted lanternfly is native to China, and was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, it has spread to at least 17 other states primarily in the eastern United States.