ROMULUS (WWJ) -- It was something customs agents did not expect to find in a traveler's bag at Detroit Metro Airport: live fly larvae that could threated our environment.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reporting a rare find at the airport last summer, when agriculture specialists intercepted live larvae from a rare and potentially destructive fruit fly.
CBP said in a Nov. 21 news release that the larvae were discovered among fresh caper flowers in June, after traveler who arrived from Italy was referred for a baggage examination. after refusing to answer questions.
The larvae was identified by USDA and CBP officials, and later confirmed by a specialist at the USDA Systemic Entomology Laboratory, to be a caper fruit fly. It belongs to the family of Mexican fruit flies and melon flies — among the most damaging pests in the world.
“Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work hand-in-hand to stop potential threats before they have potential to cause economic damage,” said Port Director Fadia Pastilong. “Pests like this may be the next introduced species of concern if they go undetected.”
This type of fly — belongs to a family of flies that includes the Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, melon fly, and Mexican fruit fly — was only previously intercepted on one occasion 20 years ago in Tampa, Florida, CPB said.
Travelers are urged to help keep our nation free from invasive pets by declaring all food and agricultural items, and by visiting the Know Before You Go website to learn more about which items are allowed into the U.S.