Blaxburg, Virgina – Researchers from Virginia Tech say that a person’s best friend can also be one of the best nature defenders from an invasive pest. For the first time, the study shows that home dogs can help stop the rapid spread of spotted lanterns.
Spotted flashlights feed on various plants And to secrete a sweet substance called HoneyDew, which contributes to the growth of mold. They are considered so destructive that some states launched campaigns calling the inhabitants Stop them On the field of view. Experts say that the real solution is to wipe their egg masses, but they can be difficult to find, because they often resemble dried dirt and can mix with their environment.
This is where dogs can come to help with his strong led.
“Dogs have one dominant meaning. This is their nose. We use our eyes. Dogs use their nose like their eyes, ”said Katie Thomas research participant.
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Katie Thomas rewards his dog, Finch, after he discovered the fragrance of the target (Kayley Shayler)
Thomas and her nine -year Mix Pitbull, Finch, took part in the study, hoping to use their years of entertainment work on aroma. They passed tests in the room and outdoor air, sniffing the masses of eggs and received a reward when Finch was right for money.
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“In order to be able to do what we are already doing, we will have a very fun from … to teach our dogs to sniff things to apply this to something like a real problem that affects our community is really useful,” Thomas said.
The spotted lantern originates from Asia and was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania more than ten years ago. Since then, it has spread to 19 states, according to USDA.
The spotted lantern affects agriculture mainly in the Middle West and North -East (Fox News)
“They are everywhere, and we need to look for eggs. The problem is that it is already too late when we have Lanternfly, ”said the research participant, Caroline Sheberne.
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Caroline Sheberne and her dog, Hermes, are looking for the aroma of the target (Kayley Shayler)
Caroline and her 9-year-old border collie, Hermes, were one of the first five K9 and Handler teams, which passed its field tests. Ultimately, 182 voluntary teams throughout the United States took part in the study.
For internal tests, the dogs identified the aroma of Lanternfly more than 80% of cases. For more real open air tests, the dogs correctly determined the aroma of more than 60% of cases. This is still better than most human searches.
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“I hope more and more people will see that you can train any dog for this, and this gives you something interesting with your dog,” Sheberne said.
Researchers hope that this is only the beginning for dogs to protect the local environment. Even in areas where spotted consequences are not a problem, dogs can be trained to identify other invasive species.
