Tree-killing insect found in US

A dangerous and detrimental palm tree-killing insect, the red palm weevil, has been detected for the first time inside the United States.

The pest, which has already caused major and irreparable damage in Asia and across the Mediterranean, was found when a tree trimmer cut off a dying Canary Island date palm in the Long Beach area.

After further investigation, another red palm weevil was discovered about 500 yards away from the initial one.

The insect, which is about 1.5 inches in length, can kill a tree from the inside out. The red palm weevil infests a tree by laying eggs in the crown, where the emerging leaves feed the larvae.

This type of infestation is different from others because it damages new leaves as opposed to eating away old ones.

While it takes up to a year or two for the weevil to kill a tree, early detection is necessary for a tree to survive after an infestation.