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Blaxburg, Virgin – Researchers from Virginia Tech say a person’s best friend can also become one of the best nature protection against an invasive pest. For the first time, the study shows that home dogs can help stop the rapid spread of spotted lanterns.
Spotted lanterns feed on different plants And excreted from a sweet substance called Honeydew, which promotes mold growth. They are considered so devastating that some states have started companies that call on residents stomp them On the sight. Experts say the real solution is the destruction of its egg mass, but they can be found difficult because they often resemble dried dirt and can be combined with their environment.
It is here that dogs can come to help their strong sense of smell.
“Dogs have one dominant meaning. This is their nose. We use the eyes. Dogs use the nose like eyes,” said Katy Thomas’s study participant.
Invasive pests can make a dramatic return this summer, experts warn
Katie Thomas reward her dog, Finch, after searching for target fragrance (Kailey Schuyler)
Thomas and her nine -year -old Pitbul Mix, Finch, participated in the study, hoping to make their years of recreational aroma. They went through closed and open tests, sniffing the egg masses and received a reward when Finch was on money.
Spotted lantern: What do you need to know about invasive insects
“To be able to do what we do so that we are very fun … Train our dogs to sniff things, having the opportunity to apply this to something like a real problem that affects our community,” Thomas said.
The lantern’s plates are originally from Asia and was first discovered in the US in Pennsylvania more than a decade ago. It has since spread to 19 countries, USDA reports.
Plates lantern influences agriculture mainly in the midwest and northeast (Fox News)
“They are everywhere, and we need to look for eggs. The problem is that it is too late as we have a lantern,” said Caroline Shelbourne study participant.
Carolin Shelbern and her dog, Hermes looking for target scent (Kailey Schuyler)
Carolina and her 9-year-old Border Collie, Hermes, were one of the first K9 teams and handlers who have passed their field tests. Ultimately, 182 volunteer teams in the US participated in the study.
For the tests in the dog’s room, the lantern smell is more than 80% of the time. For more real outdoor tests, the dog has determined the smell of more than 60% of the time. It’s still better than most human searches.
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“Hopefully, more and more people see that you can teach any dog to do this and it gives you something interesting with the dog,” Shelbourne said.
Researchers hope this is just the beginning for dogs to protect local conditions. Even in areas where spotted Laternflies, dogs can train to sniff other invasive species.
