Customs officials at Detroit Metro Airport had to deal with quite an unusual discovery earlier this year. A traveler from Italy, carrying fresh caper flowers, was found to be transporting live larvae from a rare fruit fly species after failing to answer agricultural questions and subsequently undergoing a baggage check. WXYZ reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials identified the larvae as belonging to the caper fruit fly, a rarity intercepted by CBP only once in the past two decades.
The caper fruit fly is part of a notorious group of pests that includes the likes of the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Oriental fruit fly. These insects are considered to be among the most damaging to agriculture worldwide, with the potential to seriously harm the economy. "Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work hand-in-hand to stop potential threats before they have potential to cause economic damage," Port Director Fadia Pastilong told CBS News Detroit.
Further investigation by a specialist at the USDA Systemic Entomology Laboratory confirmed the larvae's identity. America's agriculture is under constant threat from invasive species, and the interception of these larvae underscores the critical work CBP and USDA do to protect it. According to a news release from CBP via WWJ Newsradio, travelers are being reminded of their role in this protective effort. Individuals entering the U.S. are encouraged to declare all food and agricultural items and are advised to visit the "Know Before You Go" website for guidelines on permitted items.
