Source: NCDA&CS, 10/14/21

Man’s best friend will soon have a brand-new job in North Carolina — hunting down invasive bugs. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s Plant Industry division will soon welcome a pair of working dogs named Kita and Neeko to the state to help detect Spotted Lanternfly. The destructive pest, which causes severe damage to trees and vineyards, is a serious problem in 10 northern states and is spreading quickly.

Just this week, live adult Spotted Lanternfly insects were found 15 miles from the North Carolina border and the division’s regulatory entomologists believe it is likely already in the state, so the canine teams are coming to the state at a critical time to help find and treat infestations early and prevent establishment.

Jackie Fredieu and Chad Taylor are the pair of plant protection specialists who will take on the role of handlers for the new dogs. Fredieu said that the dogs will help sniff out SLF in places where people would likely miss them.

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