Tree-killing Asian beetle that has wreaked havoc in U.S. detected in EU for first time

Tree-killing Asian beetle that has wreaked havoc in U.S. detected in EU for first time

July 17, 2026 / 7:57 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

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A tiny Asia-origin beetle that has devastated ash forests in North America has been detected in the European Union for the first time in Hungary and Slovakia, authorities said.

Slovakia's Agricultural Central Control and Testing Institute, based in Bratislava, said that 18 feared emerald ash borers were found this month in the Streda nad Bodrogom district in the east of the country.