PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Participating in the Citizen Scientist Detection Program for Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia has been a rewarding experience. I have enjoyed checking the trap and am relieved to report that there have been no spotted lanternflies detected so far.

 

Recognizing the significant risk that spotted lanternflies pose to Virginia, I intend to continue monitoring for evidence of the spotted lanternflies in Rockingham County. I will also consider volunteering for other eradication and slow-the-spread programs in the state. I was interested to learn that officials in Pennsylvania recently started using a German shepherd named Lucky to detect spotted lanternfly eggs, shown above (1). Despite my lack of experience with detection work, I want to see if I can train my dog to sniff out invasive pests. 

 

1. Pa. has a new weapon to sniff out spotted lanternflies: A dog named Lucky. WITF. (2021, June 23). https://www.witf.org/2021/06/23/pa-has-a-new-weapon-to-sniff-out-spotted-lanternflies-a-dog-named-lucky/.