US (AZ): Nogales CBP intercepts pest in cherry tomato shipment

A U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist confirmed in week 41 that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Nogales commercial facility in southern Arizona discovered a new pest to the nation when they intercepted what is commonly known as the long-horned beetle.

Entomologists were inspecting a shipment of fresh cherry tomatoes on Sept. 1 when they found the beetle, Eburia baroni of the family Cerambycidae, according to a Customs and Border Protection news release.

The next day, a national USDA identifier confirmed the pest, requiring quarantine action because of the risk of introducing disease and parasites from other countries, according to the release.

The shipment was fumigated under USDA supervision for eventual release into U.S. commerce. The USDA on Oct. 6 confirmed that it was a first-in-nation interception.

The beetles are usually identified by their extremely long antennae. The larvae, called roundheaded borers, bore into wood where they can cause extensive damage to either living trees or untreated lumber, according to the release.

Source: raycomgroup.worldnow.com