At Detroit Metro Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped giant scale insects in what the agency said was the first recorded encounter with the species at a U.S. port of entry.
The discovery is the latest reminder that international travel and transported plant material can carry potentially destructive species far beyond their native habitats before they reach forests or farmland.
Here's what to know
CBP said the find happened at Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus, Mich., where officers intercepted giant scale insects in what the agency described as the first recorded U.S. port-of-entry encounter with the species. The Detroit News reported the seizure, which followed another first-in-the-country pest interception at the same airport.
Officers found the insects on pine bark inside a traveler's luggage during a routine baggage check, CBP said. The traveler had arrived from Cameroon and was headed to Illinois, and the bark was being carried for medicinal purposes. After taking the bark and insects for analysis, officers explained the relevant regulations and allowed the traveler to continue.
Agency officials and the USDA initially identified the insects as giant scale insects in February. The USDA later confirmed on Aug. 7 that the specimens were from the Aspidoproctus species.
Marty Raybon, director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Field Operations in Detroit, said:
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"This encounter provided us with an opportunity to educate the traveling public of the dangers exotic plant matter poses to U.S. agricultural interests and showcases the diligence of our agriculture specialists in protecting the homeland," Raybon said in a statement. "There is no such thing as a small threat."
That notice followed an announcement about a straw crest moth found at the same airport.
More background
The insects were found on bark packed inside luggage.
Their young can be carried by wind, and CBP said female scale insects may lay more than 5,000 eggs. The pests feed on the sap of plants, shrubs, and trees.
Potential effects include tree damage, stress on local agriculture, and higher costs linked to pest control, crop losses, or timber impacts.
While the seized specimens measured about 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) and appeared dark with waxy, light-colored protrusions, CBP said the African genus they belong to includes some species that grow to nearly 1.5 inches long.
What's being done?
Agriculture specialists at ports of entry routinely examine baggage, cargo, and other materials that could carry insects, diseases, or seeds.
In this case, officers spotted the pests, seized the material, and sent it for confirmation before it could travel farther inland.
Officials said plant materials, bark, and other natural products are not automatically harmless souvenirs. Even items intended for personal or medicinal use can carry organisms that can damage forests, farms, and landscaping.
Port Director in Detroit Fadia Pastilong said in a statement, "Our agriculture specialists are on the frontline of protecting Michigan's vital lumber industry. This first-in-nation interception is significant because pests like this can threaten America's natural resources and wreak havoc among our most important economic sectors."
Where can I learn more?
Pest detections and border actions show how easily invasive species can spread. These stories look at threats found at airports, in imported goods, and in states dealing with new infestations.
• At Hilo International Airport, in Hawaii, palm-killing beetles turned up, prompting officials to deploy new traps.
• In California, a newly discovered beetle began killing eucalyptus trees at alarming speed.
• Federal officials halted livestock imports from Mexico after detecting flesh-eating flies among shipments.
• In Iowa, officials warned residents to check for spotted lanternflies before they spread.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
