Feds intercept beetle that could have ravaged N.J.

The species of longhorn beetle can do massive damage to trees and untreated lumber if allowed to flourish.

NEWARK -- Federal customs agents in New Jersey earlier this month intercepted a shipment that contained a species of invasive beetle never before found in the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday. 

The shipment, a container of bananas from Ecuador, also carried a species of longhorn beetle known as Psapharochrus bivittus (Cerambycidae), customs officials said. 

The longhorn beetle. (California Dept. of Food and Agriculture)
 

The shipment was part of a routine inspection on May 2 by agricultural specialists in Gloucester, U.S. Customs said in a news release.

Entomologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the finding, Customs said. USDA, checking its national pest identification database, confirmed the specimen as the first of its kind in the United States, it said. 

According to customs, insects such as the longhorn beetle "are significant pests to living trees with potential to cause extensive damage and massive losses" not only to trees, but also untreated lumber. 

"Intercepting destructive insect invaders at our nation's borders, and before they can threaten our agriculture industries, is of great importance to Customs and Border Protection," Susan Stranieri, Customs' Area Port Director for the Port of Philadelphia, said. "This 'first-in-nation' insect interception is a significant discovery."

On a typical day nationally, it said, customs agriculture specialists inspect over one million people as well as air and sea cargo imported to the United States and intercept 4,548 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 470 agriculture pests and diseases.