GabyIn 2023, with the support of canine experts and biologists, California winemakers enlisted a pair of English Springer Spaniels, affectionately named Zinni and Sovi B (after the Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties), to assist in research aimed at hunting down pest insects. Instead of relying on pesticides that could harm their vines, the producers of California’s renowned wines decided to combat the so-called mealybugs using the keen sense of smell of these dogs. The mealybug (Pseudococcus) is a type of sap-sucking insect that carries a devastating leafroll virus affecting grapevines. This pest has plagued California vineyards for three decades, rapidly reproducing and spreading. Meanwhile, the chemicals typically used to combat such insects pose a threat to the environment.
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The unique project holds significant promise. At the outset of the study conducted in the Lodi wine region, the team received a grant of $428,000 from the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Stephanie Bolton, director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission for Sustainable Viticulture and the study’s lead, explained, “Dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors, while humans have only 5 million. Dogs can detect scents where humans cannot. Plus, for the dogs, it’s all a game.” During the experiments, the trainers taught the English Springer Spaniels to patrol the vineyard until they detected the scent of the leafroll virus and the pheromones of the mealybugs. When a dog sat down, it signaled to its handler that it had found an infected vine. The dog was then rewarded with treats, as reported by the Daily Mail.
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The study’s results revealed that the dogs identified the leafroll virus in 93.4% of cases and the culprits behind the disease—the mealybugs—in 97.3% of instances. According to Ms. Bolton, the dogs are likely to improve their skills over time, making them “economically viable and scalable.” “This has great potential for our industry. We won’t solve the problem if we continue to plant infected vines,” she added. Preliminary tests have shown that English Springer Spaniels can also recognize the scents of other garden pests. This talented breed has long assisted police and military in detecting blood, drugs, weapons, cash, explosives, and electronics. Meanwhile, scientists assert that these dogs may also be able to detect olfactory signs of cancer, COVID-19, and other diseases. Historically, English Springer Spaniels were used for tracking game, originating from Norfolk and Shropshire spaniels in the mid-19th century.
