Innovation knows no age limits, as evidenced by the ingenuity of a young inventor who has developed a groundbreaking solution to tackle the persistent nuisance posed by bothersome flies in urban environments. 

(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Dead spotted lanternflies perch on a tree at Inwood Hill Park on September 26, 2022 in New York City. 

Fusing Nature & Technology

A young innovator from New Jersey, aged 18, has created a solar-powered device aimed at tackling the problem of invasive lanternflies in urban areas. 

Selina Zhang, who first encountered these pests during her grade school days, was captivated by their presence in a market near her hometown of Annandale. 

Known as ArTreeficial, this revolutionary creation represents a fusion of nature and technology, resembling a tree energized by the sun. ArTreeficial operates on the principles of smart technology, harnessing sophisticated mechanisms to not only attract but also effectively eliminate pesky flies. 

Through its intelligent design, Interesting Engineering reported that this solar-powered invention offers cities a sustainable and efficient means of mitigating the annoyance caused by these ubiquitous insects.

While visually appealing with its striking red underwings against black polka-dotted forewings, this insect has been wreaking havoc on New Jersey's local agricultural sector for years, persisting as a seemingly insurmountable problem for the city.

Innovative Solution for Invasive Pest Control

ArTreeficial is a solar-powered, self-cleaning, AI-driven "tree" engineered to attract and trap the invasive spotted lanternfly, potentially offering a solution to combat its proliferation. The trap employs an electronic mesh to eradicate the insects.

Conducting extensive field observations spanning several weeks, Zhang meticulously documented the behavioral patterns of the lanternflies. She closely monitored their growth trajectory and their tendencies to congregate in specific structures and locations.

Armed with her observations, Zhang resolved to mimic the tree of heaven, a favored habitat of the spotted lanternfly, using an umbrella sourced from her family's patio. 

Smithsonian Magazine reported that the ingeniously devised an electric net mechanism for the tree, leveraging machine learning algorithms to swiftly eliminate any lanternflies that alighted upon it.

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Known for its voracious appetite, the spotted lanternfly feasts on a wide array of plants, including various fruits, ornamental trees, and woody vegetation. 

Although this invasive pest poses no direct harm to humans or animals, its presence can significantly disrupt the quality of life in heavily infested areas. Found to be a nuisance in outdoor spaces, these insects have been known to lay egg masses on trees and even vehicles.

Recognizing the threat posed by this invasive species to the Garden State, Zhang took it upon herself to address the issue. While conventional methods often resort to insecticides to combat the invasion, such approaches can inadvertently harm essential pollinators and leave behind harmful residues.

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