U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists stopped giant scale insects from entering the U.S. at the Detroit Metropoitan Airport. The bugs have never been seen before in the country. The bugs are around five millimetres long, dark in colour, and covered in ‘waxy, light-coloured protrusions.’ They were found eating on the surface of fresh pine bark that was brought by a passenger from Cameroon for medicinal purposes. CBP initially identified the bugs as a type of giant scale in February, and that was later confirmed on Aug. 7. This was the first encounter with the species. Further analysis was done and the traveller was told of regulations and released without incident. “This encounter provided us with an opportunity to educate the travelling public of the dangers exotic plant matter poses to U.S. agriculture interests and showcases the diligence of our agriculture specialists in protecting the homeland,” said Marty Raybon, director of field operations. “There is no such thing as a small threat.” The giant scale insects feed on sap from a variety of shrubs and trees. They can cause extensive damage as the females can lay more than 5,000 eggs and the nymphs can spread via wind. A heavy infestation can harm local plant health, damage trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. “Our agriculture specialists are on the frontline of protecting Michigan’s vital lumber industry,” said Fadia Pastilong, port director. “This first-in-nation interception is significant because pests like this can threaten America’s natural resources and wreak havoc among our most important economic sectors.”
