NANJING — Customs authorities in East China have intercepted a batch of insects that could have severely damaged local trees in China.

The Agriotes paludum insects were caught in oak logs imported from France in Lianyungang in Jiangsu province, according to the Jiangsu Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau on Jan 29.

It is the first time that the species was intercepted in China.

The Agriotes paludum usually reside in dead tree branches or under tree bark. They can accelerate the aging of trees, undermining agricultural and forest safety.