Posted on 09/25/2014 9:15:27 AM PDT by Brother Cracker
The khapra beetle is one of the most destructive insects in the world. It's hard to eradicate because it can go for long periods without food or water, making it a menace to the grain and seed industry (since it likes the dry conditions afforded by large stocks of grain.)
So kudos to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Philadelphia who intercepted a khapra beetle in a passenger’s baggage at Philadelphia International Airport. The Dept. of Homeland security provided the details in a statement:
CBP officers referred a family that arrived from Saudi Arabia via Qatar to a secondary agriculture examination after the family declared possessing some food items August 19. During the baggage examination, CBP agriculture specialists discovered immature and adult Coleopteran insects inside two burlap sacks that contained a combined nine pounds of rice.
CBP shipped the specimens to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist for identification, and August 27, the USDA confirmed the insects to be Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts).
The khapra beetle is known as a ‘dirty feeder’ because it damages more grain than it consumes, and because it contaminates grain with body parts and hairs. These contaminants may cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults and especially sickens infants.
They probably made it through at five other airports that week.
“CBP agriculture specialists discovered immature and adult Coleopteran insects inside two burlap sacks that contained a combined nine pounds of rice.”
So let me get this straight, you fly to another country...and bring your own rice??
0bama will immediately demand that insect profiling cease.
Did the family think that rice wouldn’t be available in the US?
At least they found this one. Ebola may not be so easy.
Who know WHAT has been brought into the country from the Southern border.
I am amazed that anyone believe this freaking lie.
EVERYTHING is now an advertisement in favor of government.
ALWAYS disbelieve stories that back regulation and Policing.
It would be even more funny - if it wasn’t true...
This sounds like it could be a serious problem to the grain industry. And sickens,especially infants. New form of terrorism??
People do this sort of thing. Rice has a lot of varieties and they may have thought a particular kind they like would not be here.
I’ve seen people pack Doritos for trips to Asia.
While you’re on that site, be sure to answer the poll, “Should Pennsylvania teachers and school staff be allowed to carry weapons in school?”
Currently the ‘No’s’ are far ahead.
RICE FIELDS OF SAUDI ARABIA
One of “world’s most destructive insects”
How insulting to incest!
Just another reason to ban travel from the Mid-East and North Africa into the United States.
This may come as a shock to many but not all arabs are the suave sophisticates you see in the saudi royal family.
Remember Lawrence of Arabia? Think Anthony Quinn’s character and not Alec Guiness.
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