There are so many gorgeous walnut trees in Missouri and that's what has officials concerned as there is a tiny beetle that kills these huge trees headed directly toward the Show Me State.

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KY3 News in Springfield, Missouri is reporting that the Missouri Department of Conservation has issued a warning to be on the lookout for Walnut Twig Beetles. They are only about 1/16th of an inch in size, but mighty in their ability to cause big damage to walnut trees.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says that when these beetles colonize a walnut tree, they carry a toxic fungus that causes Thousand Cankers Disease. They shared a map showing that Missouri is in the crosshairs of this vicious bug and the disease they carry.

Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation
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KY3 in Springfield spoke with Francis Skalicky of the Missouri Department of Conservation about what tree owners can watch for when it comes to the walnut twig beetles.

This summer is one to watch in Missouri as this beetle has already appeared in states bordering Missouri and there's every reason to believe that they'll arrive soon if they're not already present. That's bad news for walnut tree lovers.

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