MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — State agricultural officials have confirmed the detection of an Asian longhorned beetle at a shopping center in Mount Pleasant, raising concerns over the invasive pest’s spread across South Carolina’s hardwood trees.
Discovery and Immediate Response
The beetle was found on August 24 by two off-duty inspectors with the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI), who noticed suspicious damage on maple trees. Follow-up surveys confirmed the presence of the destructive insect.
Clemson DPI is now working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to determine the full extent of the infestation. An official quarantine area is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Threat to South Carolina’s Trees
The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a wood-boring pest that attacks a range of hardwood trees, including maple, elm, willow, sycamore, poplar, and birch.
By boring deep into trees, the beetle interrupts the flow of sap, weakening and eventually killing its host. Infested trees can also pose safety risks, as branches may drop or entire trees may collapse during storms.
State’s Ongoing Battle Against the Pest
This detection follows a five-year eradication effort in Hollywood, S.C., where infestations have persisted. South Carolina is the sixth U.S. state to record Asian longhorned beetle infestations. While the pest has been eradicated in New Jersey and Illinois, it continues to challenge eradication teams in New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
Officials Urge Public Cooperation
Authorities are calling on residents, arborists, construction crews, and debris contractors in Mount Pleasant to avoid moving hardwood debris, which could spread the pest further…