November/December 2023 - 20

PLANT HEALTH
The Nose Knows
Researchers work with dogs to detect
spotted lanternfly eggs
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
ASSISTANT EDITOR
R
esearchers are employing a novel approach to help
growers discover and deal with spotted lanternflies
(SLF) and powdery mildew.
Virginia Tech scientists are working with dog handlers
to train canines to detect SLF, a destructive pest that
feeds on a wide variety of crops and plants, including
almond and walnut trees as well as apples, cherries,
peaches and grapes.
While detections are presently limited to the East
Coast and eastern parts of the Midwest, SLF also poses
threats to western regions.
" The West Coast should be very concerned about
this pest because of numerous commercial crops,
landscape plants, and wild hosts that could support SLF
populations, " said Surendra Dara, entomologist and
director and professor in Oregon State University's North
Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Oregon.
West Coast Concern
Virginia Tech scientists, including dog trainer
and doctoral student Sally Dickinson, are
examining how dogs can discover spotted
lanternflies. The pest damages grapes and other
crops, including apples, peaches, cucumbers
and tree nuts. Photos courtesy of Virginia Tech.
20 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
Powdery mildew, a disease that can be destructive
when unmanaged, can spread quickly due to the nature
of its reproduction. The researchers determined that
dogs' strong olfactory capabilities can detect powdery
mildew better than humans, said Mizuho Nita, a Virginia
Cooperative Extension specialist and an associate
professor of plant pathology in Virginia Tech's School for
Plant and Environmental Sciences. The insect sucks sap,
young stems and leaves, causing tree withering, reducing
photosynthesis, weakening plants and eventually leading
to plant death.
Feeding causes plants to weep or ooze, creating a
fermented odor. Trunks display a grayish-black trail of
wounds. The insects excrete large amounts of honeydew,

November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2023

Editor's Letter
The consultant
Effective dormant strategies
Irrigation tech
Almond harvest difficulties
The nose knows
Almond Board of California
American Pecan Council
Company Spotlights
Ad Index/Events
November/December 2023 - 1
November/December 2023 - 2
November/December 2023 - 3
November/December 2023 - Editor's Letter
November/December 2023 - 5
November/December 2023 - 6
November/December 2023 - 7
November/December 2023 - The consultant
November/December 2023 - 9
November/December 2023 - 10
November/December 2023 - 11
November/December 2023 - Effective dormant strategies
November/December 2023 - 13
November/December 2023 - Irrigation tech
November/December 2023 - 15
November/December 2023 - Almond harvest difficulties
November/December 2023 - 17
November/December 2023 - 18
November/December 2023 - 19
November/December 2023 - The nose knows
November/December 2023 - 21
November/December 2023 - 22
November/December 2023 - 23
November/December 2023 - Almond Board of California
November/December 2023 - 25
November/December 2023 - 26
November/December 2023 - 27
November/December 2023 - American Pecan Council
November/December 2023 - 29
November/December 2023 - Company Spotlights
November/December 2023 - 31
November/December 2023 - 32
November/December 2023 - 33
November/December 2023 - Ad Index/Events
November/December 2023 - 35
November/December 2023 - 36
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