But by October there were whole big branches that were dead, and the tree was removed.

Right next to the banyan tree sits the famous Hitachi Tree, featured in commercials around the world.

Oishi said it appears the famous monkey pod tree has not been infected so far.

"This insect has a host range of over 300 known plants that it attacks, and that's just what's known," he said.

The worst infestations so far are in Honolulu, Pearl City, Aiea and Kaneohe.

Experts admit they're playing catch-up to the little bug killing off some of the island's most precious canopies.

"We need to know where it's from and that's totally unknown to science right now," said Oishi.

Experts say Florida had the same infestation.

They say it lasted for about five years, and then died off, but they're not sure the same pattern will happen here.

The Department of Agriculture is looking into possible bio-control solutions. They think a particular type of wasp may attack the scale and help to kill it off.