U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists recently intercepted live insects in a mail package at Miami International Mail facility.
On April 28, mail that arrived from the United Kingdom destined for California received further inspection by CBP agriculture specialists following an x-ray of the package.
Live Caterpillars stop at MIA
Live caterpillars intercepted at Miami Airport
The examination revealed 11 live insects that were secured and promptly submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Miami Plant Inspection Station for identification.
“This type of interception is significant, as the introduction of these caterpillars into our agriculture system could cause immeasurable damage,” said Christopher Maston, CBP Port Director at Miami International Airport. “CBP agriculture specialists perform work that is critical to protecting the U.S. agriculture industry by preventing the introduction of harmful pests into the country.”
The USDA identified these insects as Attacus atlas caterpillars. This type of caterpillar is a serious agricultural pest that feeds voraciously on the foliage of fruit-plants like citrus and guava resulting in severe damage.
CBP agriculture specialists are the front line in the fight against the introduction of harmful insects and diseases into the U.S. They safeguard American agriculture by stopping plant pests and exotic foreign animal diseases that could harm vital agriculture resources at our nation’s borders.
If this was jamaica they would have let these insect past through customs. Give them $50.00 and they would have turned a blind eye. They care nil for the country.