U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Detroit Metro Airport intercepted the remains of a beetle known as the “world’s most destructive grain pest” last April.
A person returning from Lebanon on Apr. 18 was referred to secondary inspection for an agriculture examination, according to a release from CBP. A small bag of undeclared seeds that were brought for growing purposes were found in their luggage. They received a warning to declare all agricultural goods before being released. The seeds were seized.
Agriculture specialists found a single cast skin in the bag. Local officials from CBP and the USDA identified it as potentially being a khapra beetle. Officials said a micro dissection is necessary to differentiate between the khapra beetle and closely related species. The skin was identified as belonging to a khapra beetle after the dissection.
“Khapra beetle is one of the many significant threats we face at our borders,” said Area Port Director Fadia Pastilong. “This particularly destructive insect is known to be extremely difficult to detect, which is why even intercepting a cast skin is a big deal.”
The khapra beetle is one of several insects the USDA considers quarantine significant, whether the insects are dead or alive.
According to the press release, infestations in warehouses or granaries cause the stored products to be inedible. Such infestations could “rapidly devastate” the nation’s agricultural economy.
Khapra beetles are able to go dormant and are resistant to pesticides. Officials said previous control efforts have been long-term and costly.
“We understand there may not be an explicit intent to bring a destructive pest into the U.S., but that is why it is absolutely essential for travelers to make an honest declaration of what they are bringing in,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon. “This allows CBP personnel to examine items, if necessary, to determine if they are permissible and free of any potential threats.”
Declaring all food and plant items coming into the country can help prevent the introduction of exotic pests and diseases.