Voracious Invasive Egyptian Locust Found in Shipment From Italy, Border Patrol Reports Successful Interception in Detroit

According to reports from the border police, when they investigated a package from Italy, they discovered a voracious invading Egyptian locust in Detroit.

Detroit Border Patrol vs Invasives

On September 29, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted an elusive Egyptian locust during container inspections at a local railyard. The discovery occurred while examining inbound cargo from Italy. CBP and US Department of Agriculture officials confirmed the specimen's identity. Subsequently, the container was quarantined and fumigated before the cargo was permitted to enter US commerce.

The elusive Egyptian locust is an invasive species not native to the United States but is commonly found in Europe. It poses a significant threat to crops in Michigan, including grapevines and various vegetable plants. This is only the third known instance of the Port of Detroit encountering the Egyptian locust.

John Nowak, Acting Port Director for the Port of Detroit, stressed the importance of safeguarding the food supply and the challenging mission of CBP agriculture specialists at ports of entry. These specialists not only work to intercept invasive insects and plants but also play a critical role in preventing the spread of biological agents that could harm US citizens and livestock.

International cargo, including wood packing materials, is routinely examined for potential threats to people, US agriculture, and natural resources. In Fiscal Year 2022, CBP discovered 240 pests at US ports of entry and identified 2,677 items for quarantine. Travelers are encouraged to learn more about how they can contribute to keeping America safe from agriculture threats.

In 2018, CBP captured a locust specimen while inspecting a shipment of Italian wine on November 15 and immediately ordered the entire wine shipment back into the shipping container for safeguarding.

Also Read: Pest Outbreaks Worldwide Emerge as Climate Change Triggers Imbalance in Ecosystems 

Voracious Invasive Egyptian Locust (Anacridium aegyptium)

Anacridium aegyptium, among the largest European grasshoppers, exhibits distinctive characteristics. Adult males typically measure 1.2-2.2 inches, while females reach 1.8-2.8 inches. They feature gray, brown, or olive-colored bodies with short, robust antennae. Notably, the hind leg tibiae are blue, while the femora sport an orange hue with distinctive dark marks. Their striking eyes display vertical black and white stripes, and their pronota reveal a dorsal orange stripe with numerous small white spots. Their wings are transparent with dark markings.

These folivorous insects primarily feed on various plant leaves and are solitary by nature, posing no threat to crops. However, their behavior can transform dramatically, as they may form massive swarms that devastate crops and inflict substantial agricultural damage across vast regions.

Adult sightings are most common in August and September, although they remain active year-round. Following mating, they overwinter as adults, with spring spawning occurring just beneath the soil surface, leading to nymphs emerging in April. The nymphs resemble adults but vary in color, ranging from yellow to bright green and ocher. Their wings are initially absent or small, gradually developing with each molt.

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