Fusarium graminearum caught being smuggled into US: What to know

(NewsNation) — The FBI on Wednesday announced that they caught a Chinese scientist smuggling Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. last year.

The scientist and his girlfriend, a researcher at a lab at the University of Michigan, were charged with smuggling, conspiracy, making false statements, and visa fraud.

The FBI acknowledged that a scientific journal describes it as a potential agroterrorism weapon, so it's safe to say the United States dodged a bullet with the arrest.

But what is Fusarium graminearum? Where does it come from? How much harm can it cause to people and plants?

What is Fusarium graminearum?

Fusarium graminearum is a pathogen that causes fusarium head blight in cereal crops.

The fungus lands on susceptible parts of the host plant to germinate. Its hosts include wheat,