At first glance, it looked like the packages that arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were just snacks from Japan. What U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists found inside was quite different.
They found 37 live beetles concealed in the packages of snacks such as potato chips and chocolate. These beetles are considered “contraband,” and are worth an estimated $1,480. USA today noted that the insects are nearly the length of an average human hand (which is around 7 inches).
While the presence of bugs in a shipment might seem like a mistake, the CBP said that exotic insects are actually “highly popular” and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. In fact, people willing to risk smuggling exotic bugs into the U.S. can make a profit selling them online or through underground sources.
Live insects can be brought into the country, but only with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) permits or letters from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ).
“If you plan to import an exotic insect or mite, you will most likely be required to import the organism into an inspected containment facility,” according to the USDA. Additionally, it said that packages of insects or mites being shipped must not contain any plant material, soil, or other plant pests not authorized in the permit and that inspection by USDA officials is required at port of entry.
Entrance of exotic insects into the country is regulated since they might pose risks.
“They may look harmless but in reality, smuggled beetles pose a significant threat to our vital agriculture resources,” Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles, explained. “Beetles can become a serious pest by eating plants, leaves, and roots and by laying eggs on tree bark which damages our forests.”
For example, the Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica), first discovered here in 1916, that chew large holes in more than 300 agricultural and ornamental plants, making the leaves of those plants resemble lace. Per the USDA, they gnaw grass roots, causing turf to grow brown and die.
“CBP agriculture specialists combine their scientific knowledge of harmful pests and plant diseases with their expertise in detecting and intercepting these threats before [they] enter our country,” said Andrew H. Douglas, CBP LAX Port Director. “We are very proud of their contributions to our national security mission.”
The beetles seized at LAX were turned over to USDA officials, who will determine their final destination. CPB said that the insects will likely be donated to local zoos with live insect permits, or preserved for a local insect collection.
“Nationwide on a typical day in 2023, CBP agriculture specialists seize more than 3,287 prohibited plants, meat and animal byproducts and intercept over 231 agricultural pests that could potentially harm America’s agricultural resources,” said the agency.