Spotted Lanternfly and Environmental DNA: Insect Monitoring of the Future

The increased numbers of invasive insects, and the huge toll they can exact, argues strongly for better tools for pest species monitoring and surveillance.  Once such tool relies on capturing the DNA shed by invasive insects as they move through their habitats, called environmental DNA (eDNA).  Much like using DNA evidence in a criminal trial, invasive insect eDNA monitoring tools allow us to pinpoint where these species have been without ever having to catch them ‘in the act’. See how eDNA is a vast improvement over conventional methods in our ability to detect and monitor spotted lanternfly in forests, urban areas, and vineyards. Speaker: Dr. Julie Lockwood, Professor and Chair, Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University