Progress 02/01/24 to 01/31/25
Outputs Target Audience:This year we targeted knowledge dissemination to the public: we conducted 5 interviews on canine detection of invasive species for various organizations including NPR's Science Friday and National Geographic. We also engaged 160 community scientists through testing SLF detection proficiency in laboratory and field evaluations. We also targeted scientific advancement and participated in the SLF Research and Technology Development meeting hosted by the USDA. We facilitated introductions to the Conservation Dog Collective for teams that completed the study and were interested in continuing in conservation detection work. Two teams, one in Ohio and one in Rhode Island, have also formed relationships with extension services in their areas and are providing SLF detection resources to stakeholders in those areas. Finally, teams in both Maine and the Hudson Valley have done extensive public education about SLF based on their experience within this study and are evaluating ways to establish detection resources in their areas. Changes/Problems:The primary challenge encountered this year was that our renewal for our Powdery Mildew (PM) permit has taken over 11 months to process (and are still waiting for a response). This has delayed our second set of experiments for our PM work, which will determine the time post-infection and level of infection required for dogs to detect. We are therefore requesting a no cost extension to finalize this experiment in 2025. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has supported 3 graduate students this year and two undergraduate students. Students have recieved agricultural training, animal behavior training and research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We presented at the SLF Research and Technology Development conference hosted by the USDA to disseminate to USDA users. We presented our work at 7 conference presentations, 9 extension activities and participated in 5 interviews including NPRs Science Friday and National Geographic. We have worked to disseminate our research across scientific audiences, producers, and public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We have requested a one year no cost extension due to delays in receiving permits to continue this work (see problems). If granted, the following year will evaluate the earliest stage of powdery mildew infection a dog can detect. This will establish the canine detection threshold and establish the time at which dogs could be effective.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
Aim 3 evaluates whether there is an underutilized capacity within the United States for agricultural detection dogs. Using a community science approach and detection of devitalized SLF egg masses, we are evaluating whether a national network of community scientist can create a national agricultural detection dog program. This year we had over 900 interested community members participate in a webinar to learn more about Spotted Lanternfly. Later, 1,214 personnel filled out a form of interest to participate. We identified 23 trainers and 164 dog handler teams to participate in our first year of the program. Of the 164 dog teams, 88 teams passed our double-blind odor recognition test, and 48 teams have completed a field evaluation demonstrating profeciency in detecting SLF in the field. The remaining teams are awaiting certification testing. Overall, citizen scientists participated from over 10 different states including: VA MD PA NC RI NY WA TX OR and CA. For Aim 1, three dogs completed olfactory training to detect Powdery Mildew (PM). Within nine training sessions all dogs were able to discriminate PM positive leaves from other distractors, including PM negative leaves, with an accuracy ≥ 80% (Figure 1). Furthermore, dogs were able to accurately discriminate powdery mildew from three additional plant pathogens. This work was published this year establishing a change in knowledge as to whether dog can detection this pathogen.
Publications
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Aviles-Rosa, E. O., Webberson, E., Nita, M., Dickinson, S., Feuerbacher, E., & Hall, N. J. (2025). Dogs can detect powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) leaves. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 77, 19-29.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Dickinson, S., Feuerbacher, E., (2024). Effectiveness of Citizen Scientist Dog Teams in Detecting Spotted Lanternfly egg masses. USDA SLF Working Group Technical Meeting. October 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Aviles-Rosa, E.O., (2024). The use of detection dogs as an early detection tool for diseases in vineyards. New viticulturist conference. Texas A&M, Agrilife Research station.
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Progress 02/01/23 to 01/31/24
Outputs Target Audience:This year, as part of our community science aim, our team conducted 15 interviews on canine detection of invasive species for various organizations including The Today Show, Accuweather, and The Weather Channel. We have also provided presentations for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lantern Fly detection dog team. In addition, our community science aim engaged over 1,100 community members that participated in our online webinars. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have created IDPs (Individual development plans) for the post doc supported on this project, who recently received a tenure-track position in Animal Science. The project has also provided training for one PhD student and one MS student. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This year, as part of our community science aim, our team conducted 15 interviews on canine detection of invasive species for various organizations including The Today Show, Accuweather, and The Weather Channel. We have also provided presentations for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lantern Fly detection dog team. In addition, our community science aim engaged over 1,100 community members that participated in our online webinars and 168 community members are actively participating in detection dog testing. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next year, our focus will remain Aim 1 and Aim 3, which we anticipate completing data collection within the year.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
Early detection of invasives species and disease remains a critical need to reduce food security risks and agricultural loss. This project investigates novel applications of detection canines to assess their detection capability and sensitivity for (1) Powdery Mildew and (2) Spotted Lantern Fly egg masses. In addition, (3) this project investigates the capacity for citizen science approaches to broadly mobilize invasive species detection in agricultural regions in need. In this past year we have focused on Aim 1 and Aim 3 for new data collection while disseminating knowledge from Aim 2. This year, we published two additional peer-reviewed papers, leading to changes in knowledge. In these manuscripts, we have discovered (changes in knowledge) that dogs have remarkable detection capabilities for Spotted Lantern Fly egg masses with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 99%. Further, dogs can detect spotted lantern fly egg masses diluted to and air dilution of 0.9% (without an odor background) or 4.1% (with an odor background), which exceeds that of several explosives that dogs are routinely trained to detect. This indicates that dogs' sensitivity for this invasive species is as good or better than that of explosives. Lastly, we developed a method to encapsulate egg masses that prevent egg loss but provide a whole representation of the egg odor from a canine perceptual perspective. Using these training aids, we found that dogs can be used to scan wood pallets (a common site for SLF eggs) in ~10 s with over 90% sensitivity and specificity for real-world searches. We have disseminated this knowledge to canine handlers with Spotted Lantern Fly detection canine handlers, leading to changes in action. Aim 3 evaluates whether there is an underutilized capacity within the United States for agricultural detection dogs. Using a community science approach, we are evaluating whether a national network of community scientist can create a national agricultural detection dog program. This year we had over 900 interested community members participate in a webinar to learn more about Spotted Lanternfly. Later, 1,214 personnel filled out a form of interest to participate. We identified 23 trainers and 164 dog handler teams to participate in our first year of the program. Of the 164 dog teams, 88 teams passed our double-blind odor recognition test, and 48 teams have completed a field evaluation. Given that there are currently only a handful of operational SLF detection dog teams, this represents over a 10x increase in SLF detection dog capacity from a volunteer teams. Remaining teams are awaiting certification testing. Overall, citizen scientists participated from over 10 different states including: VA MD PA NC RI NY WA TX OR and CA. For Aim 1, three dogs completed olfactory training to detect Powdery Mildew (PM). Within nine training sessions all dogs were able to discriminate PM positive leaves from other distractors, including PM negative leaves, with an accuracy ≥ 80% . Furthermore, dogs were able to accurately discriminate powdery mildew from three additional plant infectious agents. Additional work is planned for the next year to complete this Aim.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Aviles-Rosa, E. O., Kane, S. A., Nita, M., Feuerbacher, E., & Hall, N. J. (2023). Olfactory threshold of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) to cold-killed spotted lantern fly eggs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 261, 105880.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Nita (2023) SLF management tips, Virginia Vineyard Association, Charlottesville, VA, 18 July 2023
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kane, S. A., Aviles-Rosa, E. O., & Hall, N. J. (2023). Development and assessment of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) training aids for detection canines. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 266, 106011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.106011
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Cantu, A. (2023) Evaluating volatile organic compounds from the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using headspace odor sampling methods. Thesis: https://hdl.handle.net/2346/96380
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Dickinson, S. (2023). Effectiveness of Citizen Scientist Dog Teams in Detecting Spotted Lanternfly egg masses. Association for Pet Dog Trainers. October 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Nita (2023) VT Grapepathology Updates, Virginia Vineyard Association, Charlottesville, VA, 21 Feb 2023
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Nita (2023) Perspectives on PD, viruses (mealybugs), and Lanternfly, Madison, VA 6 Dec 2023
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Progress 02/01/22 to 01/31/23
Outputs Target Audience:Our outreach efforts have targeted the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lantern Fly detection dog team as well as the New York New Jersey trail conference. We have had meetings with both organizations and transmitted our research findings. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have created IDPs (Individual development plans) for the post doc supported on this project. In addition a new PhD student has started the project and will begin professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have outreached to state Departments of Agriculture canine teams to disseminate our Spotted Lantern Fly results as well as conservation detection canines handlers. We have also incorporated lessons in our Animal Science classes to disseminate our specifc results as well as enhance science/research education. Two presentations on the research have also been made: Nita, M (2022) Overview of AHS AREC research, VCE Winter Conference, Online, 02/02/2022, Oral (project summary was presented) Nita, M (2022) Grape Pathology Field Trials 2022, AHS AREC Field Day, Winchester, VA, 09/16/2023, Oral (project summary was presented) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next year, our focus will turn to Aims 1 and to Aims 3. Aim 3 we anticipate to take the rest of Years 3 and Year4. We anticipate completing the two experiments for Aim 1 this year.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
Early detection of invasives species and disease remains a critical need to reduce food security risks and agricultural loss. This project investigates novel applications of detection canines to assess their detection capability and sensitivity for (1) Powdery Mildew and (2) Spotted Lantern Fly. In addition, (3) this project investigates the capacity for citizen science approaches to broadly mobilize invasive species detection in agricultural regions in need. In this past year we have focused on Aim 2, having three manuscripts published and/or under review, leading to changes in knowledge. In these manuscripts, we have discovered (changes in knowledge) that dogs have remarkable detection capabilities for Spotted Lantern Fly egg masses with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 99%. Further, dogs can detect spotted lantern fly egg masses diluted to and air dilution of 0.9% (without an odor background) or 4.1% (with an odor background), which exceeds that of several explosives dogs are routinely trained to detect. This indicates that dogs' sensitivity for this invasive species is as good or better than that of explosives. Lastly, we developed a method to encapsulate egg masses that prevent egg loss but provide a whole representation of the egg odor from a canine perceptual perspective. Using these training aids, we found that dogs can be used to scan wood pallets (a common site for SLF eggs) in ~10 s with over 90% sensitivity and specificity forreal-world searches. We have disseminated this knowledge to canine handlers with Spotted Lantern Fly detection canine handlers, leading to changes in action. Aim 3 has started the recruitment phase and we have begun pilot work with our first citizen science team. We have piloted citizen science detection with two currently trained scent dogsand have met with the National Association for Canine Scent Work (NACSW) to outline their participation in the project. We are now preparing and deploying recruitment materials for citizen science participants. For Aim 1, eight dogs started olfactory training to detectPowdery Mildew (PM) positive grape leaves. As anticipated based on previous research, dogs learned the task rapidly. Within nine training sessions all dogs were able to discriminate PM positive leaves from other distractors, including PM negative leaves, with an accuracy ≥ 80% (Figure 1). This work, however, is still early and not yet ready for publication. This will be a focus for our next year's work. Nevertheless, our preliminary results indicate that dogs are proficient detecting the presence of PM using olfactory stimuli from the infected leaves. Figure 1. Dogs (N = 8) proportion of responses to Powdery Mildew (PM) positive grape leaves and to the different distractor odors present during the last training session. Dogs received a total of 20 trials where they searched three ports each one containing either the headspace of a vial containing a PM positive leaf or the headspace of a vial containing a distractor including a PM negative grape leaf. Overall, dogs' accuracy to PM positive leaf was > 85%. This indicates that dogs can identify PM positive grape leaves using olfactory stimuli emanating from the leaf.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Aviles-Rosa, E. O., Nita, M., Feuerbacher, E., and Hall, N. J. 2022. An evaluation of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) detection dog training and performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 105816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105816
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Development and assessment of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) training aids for detection canines. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Olfactory threshold of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) to cold-killed Spotted Lantern Fly eggs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science
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Progress 02/01/21 to 01/31/22
Outputs Target Audience:This past year, we reached various growers through media outlets (https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/orchards_nuts_vines/researchers-train-dogs-to-sniff-out-pests-and-pathogens/article_bd69d6c2-754b-11eb-a926-371e3a7ec78a.html ) as well as USDA APHIS detection dog handlers in which we discussed our results and findings with handlers in the field detecting the same pests. Additionally we presened at a working dog conference for scientisits and practitioners and will be presenting in March to a growers organization Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided Post Doctoral training for Edgar Aviles-Rosa in animal behavior and analytical chemistry. Training has also been provided to animal care taking staff (12 undergraduates) learning to care and provide husbandry for project animals. Additional research training has been provided to one PhD student (although not directly sponsored by the project). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to an academic working dog conference (International working dog and breeding association) , have submitted to an industry conference (Penn Vet Working dog conference), held a research update and discussion call with USDA APHIS canine handlers, and have communicated our project to the press for dissemination to relevant stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Over the next year, we will primarily address objective 1. Dogs will be trained for detection of powdery mildew. In addition, we anticipate publishing 2-3 papers on our acomplishments of objective 2 over the previous year.
Impacts What was accomplished under these goals?
We have acomplished objective 2; determining canine accuracy to detected spotted lantern fly and determined limits of detection. This year, we will accomplish objective 1, and the final two years will focus on objective 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Aviles-Rosa,E., Hall, N.J.. A detailed evaluation of Spotted
Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
detection dog training and performance. International Working Dog Conference. October 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kane, S., Aviles-Rosa,E. Hall, N.J. Development of Training Aids for Spotted Lantern Fly Detection. Penn Vet Working Dog Conference. 2022
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Nita, M., Updates on downy mildew, ripe rot, and canine detection of SLF eggs. Virginia Vineyards Association
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