Remains of the khapra beetle, considered one of the world’s most invasive pests affecting stored grain and seed, were found in a bag of undeclared seeds at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, according to federal agriculture officials.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the discovery occurred in April during a secondary inspection of a passenger arriving from Lebanon. The traveler had not declared agricultural items, prompting inspectors to examine a small bag of seeds intended for planting.
Laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of a cast skin from a khapra beetle inside the seed bag. No live insects were found, but officials said any trace of the pest is treated as a serious threat to U.S. agriculture.
The khapra beetle is known for its ability to infest stored grain and seed, survive long periods without food, and resist many common pest control methods. U.S. agriculture authorities classify the pest as quarantine significant whether alive or dead due to the difficulty of eradication once established.
Customs officials issued a warning to the traveler for failing to declare agricultural items. The finding was made public this month as part of broader efforts to highlight the risks associated with undeclared seeds and plant materials entering the country.
Original source:
https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/worlds-most-invasive-grain-pest-found-in-luggage-at-detroit-airport/