U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists at Port Huron recently discovered remnants of a khapra beetle, an insect designated for a high-risk of pest infection, in a cargo shipment of split and washed beans from India at the Blue Water Bridge.
After a brief examination, the cast skins were positively identified as Trogoderma granarium Everts, more commonly known as the khapra beetle, by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologists earlier this month and the shipment was denied entry into the United States.
Originating in South Asia, the khapra beetle is one of the most destructive species of insect for grains, dry beans and other stored products in the world. Any shipment containing remnants or actual specimens dead or alive will not permitted entry into the United States. This is the fourth interception of khapra beetle remnants from commercial shipments at the port. All of the commercial shipments containing khapra remnants originated from India.
“I am proud of the tremendous efforts and significant results achieved by our agriculture specialists,” Port Director Andrew Douglas said. “Their sustained focus to guard our borders and beyond from invasive species that could cause substantial damage to the nation’s agriculture industry and our economy is demonstrated on a daily basis.”
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 the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.