Yes—the invention is real, but it is not a commercial “AI bug zapper.” In 2024, 18-year-old New Jersey student Selina Zhang built ArTreeficial, a solar-powered, artificial-tree-shaped prototype designed to attract spotted lanternflies, identify them with computer vision and energize only the relevant section of an electrical mesh. It was a science-fair-stage project, not a validated extermination system or a product consumers can currently buy.
Who created ArTreeficial?
Selina Zhang, a student at North Hunterdon High School in New Jersey, developed ArTreeficial while she was 18. The project became a finalist in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Encyclopædia Britannica Education reported that it placed eighth; Smithsonian Magazine also covered the invention and its development.
The project was intended to address one invasive species: the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), not insects generally. Smithsonian’s report describes the design, while the competition’s finalist list is available from the Society for Science.
Why target spotted lanternflies?
Spotted lanternflies are planthoppers native to China. They feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew, which can encourage black sooty mold and stress host plants. They are associated with many plants, including tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), itself an invasive species in North America.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches#1 Best Overall
- Package Includes: you will receive 4 spotted lanternfly trap with 4 pc 2.5 m long hemp rope and 8 nails, the trap size is 9.8 x 16 x 36 inches, which is large enough for catching
- Quality Materials: lanternfly traps are made of quality polyester and iron materials, reusable, and can be used in a variety of weather conditions; Note: if the top of the trap is opened after receiving the goods, you can tie it again
- Designed for Lanternflies: lantern fly killer is suitable for catching spotted lanternfly larvae and adults, and is safe for birds, squirrels and other animals
- Safe Catch: the mesh lanternfly trap is natural and non-toxic, no bait is needed, and no pesticides are used
- Easy to Use: easy to use, comes with a hanging rope, fix the lower end with a nail close to the tree trunk, suitable for any tree; If the tree is too large, you can use a jute rope to wrap around the tree and then hang the trap on the jute rope
Conventional controls can have collateral effects. Insecticides may affect pollinators and other organisms, while sticky bands can trap birds, small mammals and non-target insects. State guidance explains identification and response options in New York and Pennsylvania.
A 2024 Smithsonian article said spotted lanternflies had been reported in 17 U.S. states at that time. That figure is date-sensitive and should not be treated as the current 2026 distribution without checking updated state or federal data.
How the prototype was supposed to work
- Solar power: A solar-powered system supplied energy for the electronics and trap.
- Artificial tree: Zhang converted a patio umbrella into a tree-like structure.
- Scent attraction: The design used incense or scent derived from tree of heaven. Smithsonian described an ultrasound-based mechanism intended to emit the scent from the trunk.
- Recognition: Cameras and field observations supplied images for a machine-learning model trained on Zhang’s database of more than 500 photographs.
- Segmented mesh: The electrical grid was divided into sections. When the system recognized a spotted lanternfly on one section, only that section was energized.
- Self-cleaning concept: The design also contemplated clearing insect remains so the trap could continue operating.
This is more accurately described as computer vision controlling a segmented electrical trap than as a general-purpose autonomous AI system. The available coverage does not state the model architecture, accuracy, false-positive rate, latency, voltage or power draw.
Why the mesh was redesigned
Zhang’s initial single-layer mesh created both safety and reliability problems. Energized metal was too exposed to people or animals, and jumping lanternflies might avoid making reliable electrical contact.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #2
- Package Includes: you will receive 4 spotted lanternfly trap with 4 pc 2.5 m long hemp rope and 8 nails, the trap size is 9.8 x 16 x 36 inches, which is large enough for catching
- Quality Materials: lanternfly traps are made of quality polyester and iron materials, reusable, and suitable for various weather conditions; Note: if the top of the trap is opened after receiving the goods, you can tie it again
- Designed for Lanternflies: lantern fly killer is suitable for catching spotted lanternfly larvae and adults, and is safe for birds, squirrels and other animals
- Safe Catch: the mesh lanternfly trap is natural and non-toxic, no baits or pesticides required
- Easy to Use: easy to use, comes with a hanging rope, fix the lower end with a nail close to the tree trunk, suitable for any tree; If the tree is too large, you can use a jute rope to wrap around the tree and then hang the trap on the jute rope
The revised design used two layers:
- A larger outer diamond-shaped mesh intended to act as a protective barrier.
- A tighter inner mesh that the insect could contact.
- Rubber tubing to hold the layers at a controlled distance.
The spacing involved a trade-off. If the layers were too close, they could short-circuit; if they were too far apart, the insect might not bridge the circuit. The double layer was a design improvement, not proof of consumer-grade safety. Any production version would require testing for children, pets, birds, rain, grounding, battery faults, short circuits, fire and maintenance access.
The hardest problem may be attracting the insect
Recognition matters only after a lanternfly reaches the device. The Smithsonian report quoted a Penn State entomologist who said spotted lanternflies are difficult to lure and that tree of heaven is not a guaranteed attractant. There was no established “silver bullet” lure for the species in that coverage.
That creates a fundamental failure mode: a highly accurate classifier cannot control insects that never land on the mesh. Weather, competing host plants, insect life stage and local population density could all change performance.
Rank #3
- Package Includes: you will receive 8 spotted lanternfly trap with 8 pcs 2.5 m long jute rope and 16 nails, the trap size is 9.8 x 16 x 36 inches, which is large enough for catching
- Quality Materials: lanternfly traps are made of quality polyester and iron materials, reusable, and can be used in a variety of weather conditions; Note: if the top of the trap is opened after receiving the goods, you can tie it again
- Designed for Lanternflies: lantern fly killer is suitable for catching spotted lanternfly larvae and adults, and is safe for birds, squirrels and other animals
- Safe Catch: the mesh lanternfly trap is natural and non-toxic, no bait is needed, and no pesticides are used
- Easy to Use: easy to use, comes with a hanging rope, fix the lower end with a nail close to the tree trunk, suitable for any tree; If the tree is too large, you can use a jute rope to wrap around the tree and then hang the trap on the jute rope
What has actually been demonstrated?
| Question | What the available reporting establishes |
|---|---|
| Was a prototype built? | Yes. ArTreeficial used a repurposed umbrella, solar power, a scent-based attraction concept, cameras and segmented electrical mesh. |
| Was it observed outdoors? | Coverage describes weeks of field observation and field testing. |
| Was machine learning used? | Yes, reportedly with more than 500 photographs in Zhang’s personal database. |
| Was large-scale pest control proven? | No capture totals, kill rates, identification accuracy, non-target rate or controlled comparison is reported. |
| Was it independently validated? | No independent replication or long-term agricultural trial is identified in the cited coverage. |
| Is it commercially available? | No verified retail listing, production run, patent grant or official buying page was identified. |
Smithsonian reported an approximate 2024 prototype manufacturing cost of $200. That was not a retail price or total cost of ownership; certification, engineering labor, software, communications, batteries, replacement mesh, installation and maintenance could all add cost.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Where the concept could fail in real conditions
Training-data limits
More than 500 photographs may support a student prototype, but sample count alone does not establish field accuracy. A deployable classifier would need images of nymphs and adults in different orientations, lighting, weather, backgrounds and levels of occlusion, plus visually similar native insects.
False positives and false negatives
A false positive could electrocute a beneficial insect. A false negative would let a target escape and make the trap appear ineffective. Testing would need bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and other planthoppers—not just clear photographs of spotted lanternflies.
Rank #4
- INCLUDES 4 ROLLS - Each roll contains 30 Feet of extra strength Tree Tape stopping Lantern flies at all stages. The 30-foot rolls can be easily cut to fit different tree sizes throughout your property. The W4W Tree Traps are water resistant and can weather most storms without a loss of glue or efficiency. It is also disposable with easy to tear paper.
- PROTECT YOUR TREES – Spotted Lanternflies pose a serious risk to agriculture. They are invasive & can damage plants, trees & crops. The Spotted Lantern fly also called nymph or nymphs often climb up tree trunks and feed on tree sap. The W4W Laternfly Tree Shield will wrap around your tree trunk and trap pesky lantern flys, gypsy moths, cicadas, cankerworms, beetles and fungus gnats before they cause more destruction!
- HOW TO USE – Our nontoxic Tree Traps are child & pet safe. Wrap the Fly Traps around tree trunks across your property. Be sure to place the traps at eye level to keep out of reach of children and pets. Lanternflies (and other harmful insects) will be instantly trapped by the W4W Tree Tape while crawling up the tree bark. WHEN ADHESIVE IS FULL its best to dispose the used portion & wrap another strip around your tree.
- HELP FIX THE LANTERN FLY PROBLEM – Spotted Lantern flies can wreak havoc on our environment, agriculture & ecosystem. While they may appear pretty they are important to be killed when spotted. Lanternflys usually complete their lifecycles in about one year. During that time, they lay egg masses. It is important to kill lantern flies as early as possible using the W4W Lantern Fly Tree Traps. Can be used indoor & outdoor.
- GUARD AND RESCUE YOUR TREES - The 4 -inch width will help combat against lantern flies & bugs, while at the same time minimizing the likelihood of catching birds, squirrels and other non-target species. The lanternfly & other similar insects can be a killer to your trees, crops and plants if they’re not taken care of. Using a spray or other repellent to control an insect infestation can be harmful by spreading toxic waste. W4W Tree strips can rid you of your Bug & pest problem the safe way.
Outdoor durability
An umbrella-shaped outdoor structure would face wind loading, ultraviolet exposure, rain, condensation, dirt, leaves, spider webs, insect remains, camera-lens contamination, battery depletion and connectivity failures. The published reports provide no durability results for those conditions.
Ecological scope
Selective killing could reduce indiscriminate pesticide use in principle, but it is not impact-free. A lure may attract non-target organisms, and a few devices cannot automatically control a regional infestation involving mobile insects, multiple host plants and seasonal reproduction.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Could the design work on other invasive species?
The engineering pattern is transferable, but the biological assumptions are not. A new target would require:
Best Value
- IMPRESSIVE TREE COVERAGE: Catchmaster's Tree Shield Insect Barrier is a heavy-duty crawling and flying insect trap. The tree shield measures 30 feet long, allowing you to protect more of your trees in less time. The 30-foot rolls can be easily cut to adapt to different tree and plant sizes throughout your property
- DEFEND YOUR TREES: Protect your trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants from destructive insects like the spotted lanternfly, cankerworms, fungus gnats, cicadas, and gypsy moths. Crawling pests will travel up and down trees, but the Catchmaster Tree Shield will act as a bug catcher and create a physical barrier
- INSECT BARRIER: Use the tree shield to help monitor for pests in your garden or yard, moth control, interrupt breeding cycles of invasive pests and reduce populations. This band works well as a plant protector for a garden bed, greenhouse, or backyard. The light color of the plant and tree protectors attracts insects which makes identification easier
- FOR ALL ENVIRONMENTS: This tree protection wrap is designed for use around your home, family and pets, with a narrow design to minimize catching of non-target species. Place the Tree Shield bands on trees throughout your property at eye level so as to avoid contact with pets and children
- INTELLIGENT PEST MANAGEMENT: At our core, we are dedicated pest detectives. We believe in utilizing a science-based approach to integrated pest control. We call this approach Intelligent Pest Management. We leave no stones unturned when it comes to pests and we have unwavering conviction in our products
- A reliable species-specific attractant.
- Representative images across life stages, backgrounds and weather.
- Validation against similar native species.
- A capture or kill mechanism that is safe for people, pets and wildlife.
- Testing across seasons, weather and insect densities.
- An ecological assessment of non-target effects.
Commercial systems already combine cameras, AI-assisted image analysis, solar power and remote alerts, although they generally monitor or trap insects rather than selectively electrocute them.
How it compares with available smart traps
| System | Primary function | What is publicly stated | Fit for a homeowner seeking a lanternfly killer |
|---|---|---|---|
| METOS iSCOUT | Professional insect monitoring | Solar camera traps, AI-assisted identification, LTE connectivity, image storage and population-counting tools. Public price: not stated on the reviewed page. | Poor fit; it is a monitoring and decision-support platform, not ArTreeficial’s selective electric mesh. |
| Netsens SpyFly | Robotic attract-and-monitor trap | Pheromone lure, camera, cloud connection, environmental sensors, AI counting, solar power and Wi-Fi/4G alerts. Public price: not stated on the reviewed page. | Poor fit for direct electrocution; it is presented primarily for professional crop monitoring. |
| Consumer electronic insect traps | Broad flying-insect capture or killing | The EPA label for products such as Zapplight and PIC describes UV-A or white light, fans and optional octenol lures. | Not equivalent. These products are not AI species-selective lanternfly systems. EPA label |
A normal household bug zapper should not be marketed as an ArTreeficial substitute or as proven spotted-lanternfly population control.
What the invention means in 2026
ArTreeficial is best understood as a compelling proof of concept: species recognition, a lure, solar power and localized electrical control assembled into one experimental device. Its promise lies in reducing indiscriminate control, but its decisive tests would be lure reliability, classifier performance against non-target insects, electrical safety and repeatable results in agricultural conditions.
As of August 16, 2026, no verified commercial launch or official purchasing route for ArTreeficial was identified in the cited sources. Readers should not build or deploy an exposed electrified trap around homes, livestock or wildlife without appropriate electrical, product-safety and pest-management review.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
