A pioneering citizen science initiative has demonstrated that ordinary pet dogs, when properly trained, possess the remarkable ability to locate the elusive egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) using their highly developed sense of smell. This innovative project, spearheaded by a multi-university collaboration including Texas Tech and Virginia Tech, involved dog trainer and author Melissa McCue-McGrath and a dedicated cohort of canine participants and their handlers, primarily based in Maine. The findings suggest a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for early detection and mitigation of this destructive pest, which poses a significant threat to agriculture and ecosystems across North America. The Growing Threat of the Spotted Lanternfly The spotted lanternfly ( Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. It was first detected in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014, believed to have arrived on a stone shipment. Since its initial discovery, the pest has rapidly spread across numerous states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Connecticut, and New York, with new infestations continually being identified. Its rapid expansion is largely attributed to its "opportunistic and lazy" egg-laying habits, as described by McCue-McGrath. Unlike many other insects that carefully select specific host plants for oviposition, the spotted lanternfly lays its egg masses on virtually any flat surface, including trees, rocks, outdoor furniture, vehicles, and even shipping containers. This indiscriminate behavior allows the eggs to be inadvertently transported across vast distances, facilitating its swift proliferation into new territories. The spotted lanternfly poses a severe economic and ecological threat. It feeds on over 70 different plant species, including economically vital crops such as grapes, hops, apples, cherries, and maple trees. By piercing the bark and feeding on the sap, the insects weaken the plants, leading to reduced yields and, in severe cases, plant death. Beyond direct damage, the lanternfly excretes a sugary substance known as "honeydew." This honeydew coats surfaces beneath infested plants, attracting other pests like wasps and ants, and, more critically, fostering the growth of black sooty mold. This mold not only impairs photosynthesis, further stressing the host plant, but also creates an unsightly mess, reducing property values and impacting outdoor recreation. For states like Maine, where McCue-McGrath resides, the arrival of the SLF is anticipated by 2026, with the New Hampshire border, just 20 minutes from her home, already reporting infestations. The potential impact on Maine’s vital maple syrup industry and stone fruit orchards is a significant concern. Current control methods include scraping egg masses, insecticide applications, and biological controls, but early and widespread detection remains a critical challenge. Citizen Science: A New Frontier in Pest Detection The concept of leveraging public participation in scientific research, known as citizen science, has gained considerable traction in recent years. These projects empower individuals to contribute valuable data to real-world scientific investigations, often in areas where traditional research methods are resource-intensive or geographically limited. For the spotted lanternfly problem, traditional surveys relying on human sight are often insufficient, especially for detecting camouflaged egg masses that resemble patches of mud. This challenge prompted researchers from Texas Tech and Virginia Tech to explore an unconventional solution: canine olfaction. Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans, thanks to their hundreds of millions of olfactory receptors and a specialized vomeronasal organ. This makes them ideal candidates for detection work across various fields, from search and rescue and narcotics detection to medical diagnostics and conservation. The multi-university study aimed to determine if pet dogs, not just highly specialized working dogs, could be trained to reliably detect SLF egg masses. The "proof of concept" study sought to establish the feasibility of this approach, potentially opening doors for broader citizen science deployment in pest management. Melissa McCue-McGrath’s Unconventional Approach Melissa McCue-McGrath, a highly respected professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, faculty advisor for the Victoria Stilwell Academy, and an author of Considerations for the City Dog and Misadventures of the World’s Okayest Dog Trainer, became involved through an unexpected chain of events. Her prior work on her podcast, "Bewilder Beasts," exploring the intersection of animals and humanity, had piqued her interest in animal detection. She had covered stories ranging from bees trained to detect bombs in Croatia to honeybees collecting honeydew from spotted lanternflies, turning honey dark and smoky – an early, albeit unusual, connection to the invasive pest. When a student alerted her to the multi-university study seeking pet dogs for SLF egg detection, McCue-McGrath was immediately intrigued. Despite her primary focus on behavior-aligned scent work rather than competitive nose work, she was confident in dogs’ inherent abilities. "If we can train bees to find a bomb in Croatia," she reasoned, "I can train these five or six dogs to find this egg mass." Her group of six dogs, primarily consisting of urban-dwelling canines with existing behavior plans, presented a unique challenge compared to the study’s ideal candidates, which were typically dogs with National Association of Scent Work (NASW) certifications. Nonetheless, her team was accepted into the second cohort of the study. Navigating Challenges: Blizzards, Police, and Behavior The initial phase of the study was fraught with logistical and environmental hurdles. The first training session coincided with a severe blizzard in Maine, necessitating a virtual kickoff. McCue-McGrath, tasked with distributing the "dead fly eggs" (contained in small window screen mesh) to her students, found herself driving through the snow, delivering what she humorously described as a "Pokemon lunchbox" of suspicious material. This led to an unexpected encounter with a school resource officer when delivering eggs to a student working at an elementary school. "What’s in the box?" the officer inquired, to which McCue-McGrath’s matter-of-fact reply of "dead fly eggs" understandably raised eyebrows before she could explain the scientific endeavor. Her team’s unique composition also presented challenges. Most of the participating dogs were behavior cases, utilizing scent work as a tool for confidence building and relaxation rather than competitive performance. "Even here in Maine, when most of my clientele is not reactive or aggressive or behavior aligned, most of the dogs in my scent work classes have behavior plans, including the six dogs that did this study," McCue-McGrath noted. This meant adapting training protocols to accommodate individual needs, fostering an environment of support and flexibility. Training Methodology: Associative Learning and Canine Expertise The training itself relied on associative learning, a cornerstone of animal training where a novel scent (the SLF egg mass) is paired with a highly desired reinforcer, such as food. This process, often referred to as "pairing," quickly establishes a positive association with the target odor. For dogs already experienced in scent work with odors like clove or birch oil, the SLF scent was simply added to their "scent Rolodex." Melissa’s 11-year-old daughter even successfully got Captain, one of the study dogs, "on odor" within four trials during the initial virtual session. One notable success story was Woody, a Brittany Spaniel with severe separation anxiety. Prior to the study, Woody’s owners sought McCue-McGrath’s help, and she introduced him to scent work as an outlet for his high drive and nervous energy. Woody took to it with remarkable speed, demonstrating an innate talent for detection. Despite only having a month of scent work experience compared to his cohort’s years, he quickly became proficient in identifying the SLF odor. McCue-McGrath observed that for these dogs, the decaying matter scent of the lanternfly eggs became their favorite odor, often prioritized over other scents during practice. This highlights dogs’ natural inclination towards novel and interesting smells, especially those linked to potential "finds." The Trials: From Boxes to the Backwoods The study progressed through two main phases: an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) and field trials. The ORT, to be completed within 14 weeks of receiving the eggs, involved a series of six boxes. One box contained the SLF eggs, another contained only the mesh (to ensure dogs were detecting the eggs, not the material), and others held distractors like grass mulch. Dogs needed to correctly identify the egg-containing box in 80% of 10 trials to advance. Four of McCue-McGrath’s dogs successfully met this criterion. The subsequent field trials presented a more realistic and challenging environment. These involved searching 80-foot by 80-foot courses set up either in a wooded area or an open field on McCue-McGrath’s property. Environmental factors and individual dog preferences again played a role; one dog, traumatized by stepping on a stick, refused to work in the woods, while another was too distracted by chipmunks in the field. McCue-McGrath adapted by offering both environments. Even Captain, her own dog, who had to be pulled from the formal study due to a medical issue and never completed the ORT, successfully cleared both field courses as a test subject, confirming his ability to identify the odor in a complex setting. The Power of Advocacy: June’s Journey Perhaps the most poignant story from the study is that of June, a dog with significant anxiety. During an ORT attempt, an unexpected fire truck siren caused June to freeze and lose her composure, rendering her unable to continue. Her owner, recognizing June’s distress, made the courageous decision to withdraw her from the formal testing, prioritizing her dog’s emotional well-being over the study’s requirements. This act of "brilliant and beautiful advocacy," as McCue-McGrath described it, underscores a core principle in ethical dog training: the dog’s welfare always comes first. However, June’s story didn’t end there. To rebuild her confidence, McCue-McGrath offered her a modified "test" where she was tasked with finding cheese in the boxes. June, delighted by the familiar and rewarding task, successfully located all ten pieces of cheese. This simple act helped June regain her tail wags and soft eyes, transforming a stressful experience into a positive one. Months later, the same lanternfly scent, once associated with distress, became a powerful motivator. During an agility class, when June was overwhelmed by a new environment and other dogs, the introduction of lanternfly scent helped her navigate obstacles, softening her demeanor and allowing her to participate. June may never win a competition, but her journey highlights scent work’s profound therapeutic and confidence-building potential for anxious dogs. Broader Implications and Future Directions The success of this citizen science initiative holds significant implications for conservation and pest management. The "proof of concept" has been established: pet dogs can indeed be trained to detect SLF eggs. Notably, dogs in live invasion areas, such as Ohio, demonstrated a seamless transition from detecting dead eggs to locating active, live infestations during their field tests. This indicates the practical applicability of the training in real-world scenarios. However, McCue-McGrath cautions against unguided citizen efforts. While encouraging, she stresses the critical importance of collaborating with environmental experts. Not all invasive species are safe for dogs to interact with; for instance, the toxic hairs of the brown-tailed moth could cause severe harm if inhaled by a dog. Furthermore, training must be carefully considered for specific life stages of the pest (e.g., eggs for SLF to prevent future generations). Dialogue with local extension schools or environmental agencies is crucial to identify suitable targets and ensure that efforts do not inadvertently worsen the problem. The study also revealed a 40% attrition rate among the initial 180 citizen scientist participants. While this figure might seem high to a layperson, social scientists often find such rates within expectations for volunteer-based projects. Further research into the factors influencing participation and retention could provide valuable insights for future citizen science endeavors. Looking ahead, the methodology developed in this study could be applied to other invasive species, such as the emerald ash borer, which specifically targets ash trees. Conservation canines and invasive species detection dogs are already a burgeoning field, largely driven by volunteers, where dogs are trained to find endangered animals (via scat or direct detection) or harmful invasives. While typically a labor of love rather than a full-time profession, the dedication and hundreds of hours of training invested by these operational handlers yield invaluable contributions to ecological preservation. The spotted lanternfly detection study is a testament to the untapped potential of citizen science and the extraordinary capabilities of man’s best friend. It offers a glimpse into a future where everyday dog walks could contribute directly to protecting vital ecosystems and agricultural industries, fostering a deeper connection between humans, their pets, and the natural world. Melissa McCue-McGrath’s work, both in the field and through her writing, continues to inspire and educate, revealing the complex, often humorous, and always rewarding "misadventures" inherent in the world of dog training and behavior. Post navigation Play Improves Your Relationship With Your Dog, Study Shows Zazie Todd Interviewed by Marc Bekoff at Psychology Today
