A New Jersey high school senior, Selina Zhang, has garnered recognition as a finalist in the esteemed Regeneron Science Talent Search, a renowned platform for exceptional scientific endeavors by high school seniors across the nation. Her remarkable achievement stems from her innovative approach to combatting the invasive spotted lanternfly, a species causing widespread agricultural havoc across 17 states in the U.S.
Zhang’s ingenious solution involves the creation and implementation of a synthetic, eco-conscious, and A.I.-powered trap, which marks a significant departure from conventional bug zappers. At the heart of her invention lies a sophisticated mechanism employing machine learning algorithms to selectively attract and eliminate the invasive pest.
The spotted lanternfly, originally native to China, has become a formidable threat to American agriculture, inflicting substantial economic losses amounting to billions of dollars annually on the East Coast alone. Zhang’s trap addresses this challenge with precision, leveraging insights gleaned from extensive field studies on the behavior of the lanternfly.
Central to the trap’s efficacy is its ability to entice the insects using a specially formulated incense derived from the tree of heaven, the lanternfly’s preferred host plant and itself an invasive species. The trap, ingeniously crafted from a parasol repurposed from her family’s patio, incorporates an electric mesh that delivers a targeted shock upon detection, effectively neutralizing the intruder.
Notably, Zhang’s solution represents a departure from conventional pest control methods, which often pose collateral harm to beneficial insects such as pollinators. By meticulously evaluating existing strategies and their unintended consequences, Zhang has crafted a solution that minimizes ecological impact while effectively mitigating the threat posed by the invasive lanternfly.
Through relentless experimentation and observation, Zhang has not only devised a groundbreaking solution but has also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex environmental challenges. Her journey exemplifies the transformative potential of youth-driven innovation in shaping a more sustainable future.
“For field observations, you have to accumulate a lot of observations over time, and it can sometimes be uneventful,” Zhang said. “But it was also an important test of patience, because you get rewarded by these really interesting things.”
With meticulous effort, encompassing the capture of 500 detailed close-up photographs alongside comprehensive field notes, she embarked on the development of a solution against the invasive spotted lanternfly. Her method involved harnessing the power of deep learning algorithms to discern the presence of these pests upon a specialized trap. Drawing inspiration from the interactive rhythm game, Dance Dance Revolution, she devised a mechanism akin to a chessboard, employing a double-layer electric mesh to target and eliminate the lanternflies with precision, contingent upon their specific location on the trap.
Selina’s ingenuity extends beyond mere conceptuality; her prototype tree, though presently costed at just below $200, holds the promise of substantial cost reduction upon larger-scale production. Moreover, she is actively engaged in refining her attractant formula, leveraging an essence derived from the electrocuted lanternflies themselves, thereby enhancing the efficiency of her trap system.
Notably, sustainability is at the core of her design ethos, as evidenced by the utilization of solar power to sustain the entirety of the system. Selina’s innovative approach underscores a harmonious integration of technology, biology, and ecological consciousness, signifying a significant stride towards effective pest management within agricultural contexts.
“The project uses A.I., it uses chemistry, it’s dealing with climate change and solar power. It’s a whole amalgam of the interdisciplinary nature of science and engineering in this project,” said Maya Ajmera, the president and CEO of Society for Science, the organization that hosts the talent search. “That’s what makes it stand out for me.”
Selina, a quintessential overachiever, boasts accolades as an award-winning violinist with solo performances at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall. Yet, amidst her musical pursuits, she also finds time to innovate, having created the ArTreeficial Trap. Furthermore, her creative endeavors extend into the realm of illustration, where she crafts her own comic books. Notably, in her narratives, she transforms the spotted lanternfly into a formidable villain.
“Everywhere it goes, it’s spreading disaster,” Zhang said when she spoke to Smithsonian Magazine. “With my comics, I wanted people to better understand this local invasive species and its behavior.”
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