Philly CBP Records First Local Red Palm Mite Interception

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Philadelphia, PA – Local PhiladelphiaCustoms and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted two insectpests recently that U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist confirmed todayas a First in Port red palm mite and a long-horned beetle rarely seen in theU.S.
Philadelphia CBP agriculture specialistsdiscovered a Raoiella indica Hirst (Tenuipalpidae), commonly known as a redpalm mite, on hats and a bowl made of palm fronds that a traveler brought withhim from Jamaica on June 25. The red palm mite is known to feed on 42 palmspecies in the Caribbean Region and Florida and is a serious pest risk for thesubtropical areas of the United States.
Wilmington, Del., CBP agriculturespecialists discovered an Estola species (Cerambycidae), from the long-hornedbeetle family, in a shipment of pineapples that arrived by ship from Guatemalaon June 27. Species of Cerambycidae are serious pests. They can pose asignificant agriculture threat to orchard trees, but they are also known toattack a wide range of forest and landscaping trees, boring holes into theirtrunks and eventually killing them.
This is only the second documentedinterception of this species of long-horned beetle. Wilmington CBP also claimedthe nation’s first documented interception of Estola species (Cerambycidae) in2009.
CBP submitted both insect specimens tothe local USDA entomologist for identification. A national USDA pest identifiertoday confirmed the status of each interception.
CBP issued an Emergency ActionNotification to the importer requiring the pineapple shipment to bere-exported, fumigated or destroyed. The importer chose the fumigation option.
“The importance of protecting America’sagriculture industry cannot be overstated,” said Allan Martocci, CBP PortDirector for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “CBP agriculture specialists areever vigilant at detecting dangerous and invasive insect pests. This First inPort discovery is both a significant accomplishment and a warning of a newpotential agriculture threat.”
CBP agriculture specialists work closelywith USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection andQuarantine to protect our nation’s agriculture industries against theintroduction of invasive and destructive insect pests.
CBP agriculture specialists haveextensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agriculturalinspection. On a typical day, they inspect tens of thousands of internationalair passengers, and air and sea cargoes nationally being imported to the UnitedStates and seize 4,291 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products,including 454 insect pests.
To learn more about CBP agriculturespecialists, please visit the CBP Careers web site.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection isthe unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at andbetween official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.