A beetle species responsible for the deaths of trees in other states has been found in Maine for the first time.

According to CBS 13 news, researchers at the University of New Hampshire recently found the southern pine beetle in forests in New Hampshire and Maine. The insects, which are smaller than a grain of rice, were discovered in Ossipee and southern Maine, near Waterboro.

Researchers say the beetles have destroyed millions of acres of pine forest in the southern U.S. and Central America, and could pose a threat to Maine’s pitch pine barren trees. They also said their populations appear to be spreading north due to climate change.

Although small numbers of beetles won’t do much harm, they say the key to prevent tree deaths and further spread is early detection.