New insect pest found in Christmas greenery in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture says a new insect pest is appearing in Christmas greenery sold in South Dakota and surrounding states.

The pest is known as the elongate hemlock scale. South Dakota’s state forester says the Asian insect was detected by the state’s forest health team in wreaths last Christmas.

The insect was found on wreaths made of fir that were shipped in from the southern U.S. The insect has appeared on similar greenery this year.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture has put a stop order on the sale of the material.