Destructive insects intercepted at LAX

Insects with the potential to devastate crops were discovered in a shipment of fresh-cut flowers at LAX and destroyed by U.S. Customs inspectors.

The tiny pests from South Africa had never been seen before in the United States, authorities said. The discovery was made last week.

Federal officials said the rust-colored aphids were identified by the Department of Agriculture as Toxoptera odinae (Van der Goot) from sub-Saharan Africa.

The aphid is known to attack grains, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.

-- Richard Winton

Comments

[NorthernCA Teacher]

We live in a global economy and unfortunately, if these bugs haven't already made it into our borders, they will sometime in the future.

The customs have an impossible task.

[Dave]

And how are they sure they didn't slip by on a different shipment?

[Prophetess Esther White Magallon]

That's all wild animals ....bugs, snakes, bees, alligator etc....unless professional care ...People should not be allowed ...This is going undone ..People finding snakes in the tiolet..That is messed up!

[Leo Cuiching]

I'm glad they discovered this pest from South Africa before it multiply into unmanageable proportion, example of which were the Mideteranian fruit flies. Here in Houston, Texas those Asian tiger mosquitoes were not discovered earlier while hiding inside imported used rubber tires.

Apparently, the tires were stowed aboard ocean-going cargo ships, and the U.S. Customs inspectors or any government authorities at the port of entry did not notice the tires were carrying the daytime-biting mosquitoes or larvae of such species. It's always pain in the neck to work outdoors around here during summer time with those pesky critters taking a sip of your blood even through your clothing.

Someday, I will ask my family to go back and live again in L.A.

[Jon K.]

Disturbing.