The zigzag elm sawfly is threatening British elm trees after having made its way across Europe, The Daily Mail reported on 22 June.
The pest, which originated in Japan, feeds on elm leaves, and is known for the signature zigzag trail of destruction that is left on the leaves, the report says.
It added that, while the sawfly rarely kills trees, it can defoliate them. This, in turn, causes problems for other creatures living among the trees and prevents photosynthesis from taking place.
Evidence of the pest has been found in Surrey.