A destructive beetle is becoming more of a problem in Virginia.

Agricultural leaders say, for the first time, there is now a statewide quarantine for the emerald ash borer.

The insect destroys trees.

The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, ultimately causing the tree to fail to take in water and nutrients.

Leaders have already quarantined Buchanan County to Loundon County, and now say new findings reveal the beetle has spread statewide.

The beetle bores underneath the bark of a tree, making them hard to find and even harder to trap.

"There's really no effective prevention other than quarantining and cutting down existing trees. Right now there is no cure. Part of the problem is that by the time the tree shows symptoms, its too late. It may still be standing but its essentially already dead," said Elaine Lidholm, with the Virginia Department of Agriculture.

Leaders say there is research going on right now - some within the state of virginia - to find ways to eradicate the beetle.

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