Certain types of insects, such as the Asian long-horned beetle, have become a major problem as global trade has expanded. When goods and products are transported between countries by plane or ship, insects or their eggs often come along for the ride and are transported from their native habitats. The population of these insects can then grow too quickly. This can have a terrible effect on the environment, causing major damage to trees and food crops. The Asian long-horned beetle is an insect that is native to Japan, China, and Korea. The beetle makes holes in trees and eats the wood on the inside, eventually killing the tree. In Asia, the beetles are eaten by various birds and other insects, so most trees are safe. However, when the beetle was transported to North America on ships from China, it caused big problems. Since 1996, when it was first identified in New York City, the beetle has destroyed thousands of trees. Teams of environmentalists and scientists have been working hard to find ways to deal with the problem.