Dogs' Keen Sense of Smell Could Help Fight Invasive Pests

Everyday Fidos and their people could become a front-line defense against an invasive insect harming forests and farms across 18 U.S. states, researchers say.

These volunteers were able to effectively detect invasive spotted lanternflies in a ground-breaking study led by Virginia Tech.

“These teams demonstrated that citizen scientists and their dogs can play a meaningful role in protecting agriculture and the environment from invasive species,” lead researcher Sally Dickinson said in a news release. “With proper training, dog owners can turn their pets into powerful partners for conservation.”