Overview
- A CBP agriculture-detection K-9 alerted officers to luggage from Ghana during a routine inspection in January, and officers found corn, seeds and a small winged insect in the bag.
- USDA specialists confirmed the specimen as the non-native straw crest moth (Mesophleps silacella) on Aug. 12, and CBP says this is the first known encounter of the species at a U.S. port of entry.
- The traveler was told about agricultural import rules and released without further action after officials said the interception was contained.
- The straw crest moth feeds on plants in the rockrose family and belongs to the gelechiid moth family, which includes many species that have caused crop damage when introduced to new regions.
- CBP highlighted the case to remind travelers to declare food and agricultural items and said its specialists intercept hundreds of pests each year to protect U.S. crops and trade.