A butterfly larvae pest, known as Saunders 1850, was discovered by Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists as they inspected Costa Rican pineapples container.
In September, larvae were found at the Port of Gulfport.
It was decided to destroy the shipment of pineapples worth $15,000.
Ancyluris jurgensenii jurgensenii (Saunders 1850) (Riodinidae) was officially identified as a reportable and actionable pest by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Many plants are known to be consumed by larvae of the Riodinidae or Metalmark family, including pineapple, beans, sunflowers, and ginger. Tropical rainforests of the Amazon are their typical habitat.
“These butterflies, while they may be attractive to the eye, have no place in the Gulf Coast or United States and their introduction could lead to unpredictable results in our ecosystem,” said Anthony Acrey, Area Port Director of Mobile.
“This interception illustrates one of the many hats CBP wears and highlights the diligent work CBP agriculture specialists do on a daily basis to fulfill CBP’s agriculture mission, which is vital in preventing foreign pests from establishing in the United States.”
Agriculture may be adversely affected by pests unknown to the United States.
In addition to having considerable experience and training in biotechnology and agricultural inspection, CBP agriculture specialists have a strong understanding of biological science. The agency inspects tens of thousands of international air passengers and air and sea freight that are imported into the United States.
In these seizures, seizures took place at ports of entry in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee, which fall under the New Orleans Field Office.
