LEWISTON, N.Y. — Live larvae of a highly destructive beetle have been found in a U.S.-bound shipment of rain ponchos from China.

Customs and Border Protection officials say agriculture specialists discovered the khapra beetle larvae while inspecting a truck entering the United States from Canada across the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge north of Buffalo last week.

Adult khapra beetles are 1.6 to 3.0 mm long by 0.9 to 1.7 mm wide. They prefer hot, dry conditions and can be found in areas where grain and other potential food is stored, such as pantries, malthouses, grain and fodder processing plants. Wikipedia photo
Adult khapra beetles are 1.6 to 3.0 mm long by 0.9 to 1.7 mm wide. They prefer hot, dry conditions and can be found in areas where grain and other potential food is stored, such as pantries, malthouses, grain and fodder processing plants. Wikipedia photo

They say three live larvae where found in an ocean container.

The shipment was sealed up and sent back to Canada.

Authorities say the khapra beetle is one of the world’s most destructive pests of grains, cereals and stored foods. It contaminates grain while feeding on it, which can then sicken people.

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