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Invasive insects that burrow into trees have proven to be among the most difficult of dangerous exotic species to detect—and even more burdensome to extinguish. The Emerald Ash Borer, for example, was discovered in 2002 near Detroit, Michigan and quickly spread to 25 other states. This insect was responsible for $10.7 billion dollars in treatment, removal, and tree replacement costs. 3 Meet the Red Palm Weevil The newest threat on the horizon comes in the form of a large snout beetle known as the Red Palm Weevil. Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, or the Red Palm Weevil, is naturally found in tropical southeastern Asia. Migration of this species was first detected in the late 1980s, and the pest has rapidly made its way around the world. The quick proliferation of this animal was due, in part, to the fact that nations and agricultural producers in temperate and often isolated climates (i.e. islands) are at the greatest risk for invasive species because their regions can harbor a variety of pests and often have a less dense selection of wildlife to counterbalance the effects of an alien attack. The weevil generally targets young palm trees less than 20 years of age. Adult insects will quickly colonize new palms and begin feeding. The greatest damage to the trees, though, results when the larvae begin to tunnel into the heart of the tree. Symptoms like wilting and yellowing of leaves often occur only long after the infestation has begun and the tree is past saving. International agricultural, pest control, biological experts convened at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome come up with a comprehensive plan to stop spread of the Red Palm Weevil. "The Red Palm Weevil represents the most dangerous threat to date palm," FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa, Mr. Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, told attendees at the opening session. "Insufficient implementation of phytosanitary standards, lack of an effective preventive strategy and insufficient monitoring of response measures explain the failure in containing the pest so far." 4 An Innovative Answer to Invasive Pests Meet Agrint. Agrint is an exciting new company using smart sensors to help detect the infestation of the Red Palm Weevil and similar insects. Agrint has