CBP Discovers and Intercepts Invasive Species

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February 20, 2015

    Norfolk, Virginia Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) agriculture specialists have found the first plane tree bug and have intercepted the Khapra beetle three times between November 2014 and January 2015.  The plane tree bug was found in ceramic tiles imported from Italy.  The species is found in the eastern Mediterranean and Europe and feeds on plane tree seeds or other tree seeds.  The Khapra beetles were found twice in organic soybeans from India and split lentils and spices originating from the United Arab Emirates.  The Khapra beetle originates from India and destroys and contaminates various types of grains.  While the plane tree bug is new to the United States, the Khapra beetle has long been a nuisance.  An infestation was found in 1953 in California and cost $90 million in today’s calculated currency.  CBP reported in their press release that the United States agricultural economy loses $136 billion each year.  Norfolk Area Port Director Mark Laria stated, “Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists take very seriously their job of intercepting potentially harmful insects, plants, plant diseases and animal diseases at our nation’s border every day.”  Furthermore, he commented, "These significant pest interceptions illustrate the vital role CBP agriculture specialists play in protecting Virginia’s agricultural industries and our nation’s economic interests."

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