CBP intercepts first-in-nation giant scale insects at Detroit airport

CBP states that its agriculture specialists at Detroit Metropolitan Airport intercepted a first-in-nation batch of giant scale insects, tentatively identified in February and confirmed by the USDA on Aug. 7 as belonging to the Aspidoproctus species. The roughly 5-mm insects were found feeding on fresh pine bark brought in for medicinal purposes during a baggage examination of a passenger in transit from Cameroon to Illinois. The scales and bark were seized for further analysis, and the traveler, a citizen of Cameroon, was advised of applicable regulations and released. Records indicate this was the first time the species had been encountered at a U.S. port of entry.