U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at the Canadian border recently inspected a shipment of rain ponchos from China and discovered live Khapra beetle larvae. These insects are one of the world’s most destructive pests.
A commercial tractor carrying an ocean container arrived at the border crossing and was referred for further inspection. Live insect larvae were found and the container was sealed and the pests forwarded to the USDA for identification.
Two days later, an entomologist with the USDA identified the pest as Khapra beetle larvae. The shipment was then re-exported to Canada.
Khapra beetles pose a high risk to our agriculture and are one of the world’s most destructive pests of grains, cereals and stored foods. They are known as “dirty feeders” because they damage more grain than they consume with their body parts and hairs. Contaminants from Khapra beetles may cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults. Infants are especially at risk for sickness.
Controlling Khapra beetles is very difficult because they have the ability to tolerate insecticides and fumigants. They can also survive for long periods of time without food.
In 1953, California had to perform extensive eradication measures following a Khapra beetle infestation. The effort was successful but cost taxpayers about $11 million. When adjusted for inflation, today’s cost on that same treatment would probably be over $90 million!
Our U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have stopped many contaminated shipments from entering our country. They perform an invaluable service and should be commended.
