Sterling, Va. — Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted 14 live and 10 dead Khapra Beetles, one of the world’s most destructive insect pests, last Thursday in a shipment of personal effects from Saudi Arabia.
The
Khapra Beetles, discovered inside three burlap bags of rice, are
considered one of the 100 most invasive species in the world. The
shipment was destined for Washington, D.C.
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A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist confirmed on Monday that the insect pests were indeed Khapra Beetles.
“Khapra
Beetle is one of the most destructive and invasive insects CBP
agriculture specialists encounter, and we take our mission to intercept
these dangerous pests very seriously,” said Christopher Hess, CBP Port
Director for the Port of Washington. “Khapra Beetle poses significant
threats to our nation’s agriculture, to our economy and to the health of
our citizens.”
The Khapra Beetle is labeled a ‘dirty
feeder’ because it damages more grain than it consumes, and because it
contaminates grain with body parts and hairs. These contaminants may
cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults and especially sickens
infants. Khapra Beetles can also tolerate insecticides and fumigants,
and can survive for long periods of time without food.
CBP
has observed a significant increase in Khapra Beetle interceptions
across the nation. These interceptions led the USDA to issue
restrictions on importation of rice from nations in which Khapra Beetle
is known to occur. For more information on these restrictions, please
visit
(
APHIS )
CBP
agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the
biological sciences and agricultural inspection. On a typical day, they
inspect tens of thousands of international air passengers, and air and
sea cargoes nationally being imported to the United States and seize
4,291 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 454
insect pests.
“CBP agriculture specialists take their
role of protecting our nation’s agriculture very seriously,” said Hess.
“They are a critical part of CBP’s mission to protect our nation against
all potential threats.”
To learn more about CBP agriculture specialists, please visit
( Agriculture Specialist Fact Sheet
(pdf - 33 KB.) )
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of
Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of
our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is
charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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