Category Archives: USDA

First-in-Nation “Leafhopper” Pest found.

August 28, 2022 By in Export, invasive species, pest, USDA Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

a minute insect commonly known as a leafhopper
Leafhopper, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, agriculture specialists at the Calexico East port intercepted a “leafhopper” in late August. This small insect’s discovery is a “First-in-Nation” pest discovered in a shipment of celery and fresh peppers. While known as the “leafhopper”, the pest is actually identified as the Kunzeana versicolora (Cicadellidae). These insects are plant feeders that suck plant sap from grass, trees and shrubs.  The feeding by the Leafhoppers causes plants to develop pale specks and the leafhoppers also transmit plant pathogens that may result in plant disease.

As is usual with a first-in-nation pest, the truck and shipment of food was returned (re-exported) to Mexico as a precautionary measure.

If you or anyone you know has had their shipment delayed, seized, or received a notice to export due to an invasive pest, contact David Hsu immediately by phone or text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP agriculture specialists intercept moth egg mass.

August 21, 2020 By in Attorney, invasive species, pests, USDA Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
Mass of egg moths, source: CBP.gov

Brownsville U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercept egg masses belonging to the Euproctis sp. (Erebidae) moth – a “first in port” of this pest. When initially discovered in late July, CBP agriculture specialists were unaware of the species and submitted a sample to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for identification.

The Euproctis sp. (Erebidae) months are found in Europe and Asia, it is believed the caterpillars are serious pests to agricultural crops and forests.

If your vessel has been seized by Customs or if you receive a notice of action for pests found on your shipment, contact invasive pests attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP intercepts termites from entering the US.

June 6, 2020 By in fumigation, invasive species, pest, pests, USDA Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of lumber from Cameroon, source: CBP.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, CBP officers intercepted a shipment of lumber from Cameroon containing termites. The pests were found around the stacks of lumber for entry into the US. When CBP finds invasive pests or larvae of potentially invasive species, a sample is collected and submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for further analysis and confirmation.

The container with the lumber was sealed and secured while USDA evaluates the sample pest, ultimately determining the termites as Kalotermitidae species, or commonly known as the dry worm termites. These termites are known to damage timber used as a structure and hardwood floors in the home.

If you have your shipment seized by Customs due to the presence of an invasive species -whether the wood-boring wasp or a dry worm termite – contact David Hsu immediately to discuss your options. Depending on the type of pest, there may be some cost effective options instead of re-exporting back to the origination. Call/text anytime to 832-896-6288 or email David at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Image of termite, source: CBP.gov

Invasive and destructive beetle larvae seized by Customs.

June 4, 2020 By in fumigation, invasive species, pests, USDA, wood packaging material, wood wasps, wooden packaging materials Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Image of the intercepted khapra beetle larvae, source: CBP.gov

According to a US Customs media release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted beetle larvae found on a shipment of welding wire from China. The larvae were sent to the US Department of Agriculture for testing and identification and identified as Trogoderma granarium Everts or the commonly known Khapra beetle. As a result of identification, the shipment was sealed to prevent potential contamination with other shipments.

According to CBP, Khapra beetles are dangerous pests that pose a risk to grain and other stored seeds. The Khapra beetle is usually located in burlap bags, corrugated carboard boxes and animal hides. Originally from India, Khapra beetles are found in shipments from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Asia and some parts of Europe.

If you have received a notice of action or if Customs has found a pest in your import – time is of the essence – contact attorney David Hsu for immediate assistance – phone/text anytime at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP finds rare first-in-nation pest in importation of corn.

September 6, 2019 By in pest, pests, Uncategorized, USDA, wood packaging material, wood wasps Tags: , , , Leave a comment

cratosomus2

A specimen of Cratosomus punctulatus
Gyllenhal, source: cbp.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Brownsville, Texas intercepted a rare “First in Nation” pest in a shipment of corn.  The interception of the pest occurred at the Los Indios International Bridge import lot in a shipment of fresh corn from Mexico.
When the corn was inspected, CBP officers found the pest and submitted it to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist. The initial identification was later confirmed by a national specialist as Cratosomus punctulatus Gyllenhal (Curculionidae) a pest not known to occur in the United States and intercepted for the first time in the nation.
This is a type of snout weevil that are plant feeders and many weeevils are pests of agricultural crops and forests.
If you have had your shipment seized due to pests or other invasive species, there may be some alternatives besides the ones given to you by Customs – contact experienced wood packing material and pest seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Houston CBP finds Asian Gypsy Moths and Egg Masses on international vessel.

August 12, 2019 By in Asian gypsy moth, Uncategorized, USDA Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Egg Masses in hand.jpg

Image of egg pods seized in Houston, source: CBP.gov

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agriculture specialists from Houston found two dead female Asian Gypsy Moths (AGMs) and 20 Asian Gypsy moth egg masses on the superstructure of an international vessel. CBP was notified of this vessel after they received notification from Japanese inspectors of 52 egg masses and 52 live moths before the vessel departed to the US.

The AGM’s are an invasive species that damages hardwood forests and urban landscapes. CBP says the AGM’s can lay 500-1,000 eggs that become hungry caterpillars, resulting in a potential to defoliate a million acres annually.

When vessels are found to contain invasive pests, Customs requires the vessel and shipment to be re-exported, fumigated, then returned to Houston. According to the media release, the vessel had to depart and return “multiple times” before CBP determined it did not contain AGM or their egg masses.

t of Agriculture (USDA) for identification; the agency confirmed Aug. 2 that the pests were in fact AGM. As required by law, the vessel left the port to receive treatment and to provide verification that it was free from AGM and egg masses.

The vessel had to depart and return multiple times before CBP agriculture specialists determined that it was absolutely free from AGM egg masses.

If you or someone you know has a shipment seized by CBP for containing invasive species or eggs from invasive species, contact experienced trade and customs attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

CBP seizes hatching eggs shipped from the Netherlands.

July 10, 2019 By in Uncategorized, USDA Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

HatchingEggs

Image of hatching eggs, source: cbp media release.

Earlier this month U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the international mail facility in Miami seized 30 suspected hatching eggs. The shipment from the Netherlands is the third shipment intercepted with hatching eggs.

The shipment label identified the shipment as “Children’s Toys”, however an x-ray performed found 30 hatching eggs. Shipment of eggs is allowed, but do require an import permit. The eggs were seized due to the risk they may carry the Exotic Newcastle Disease.

If you have questions about your imports or want to be sure you have the right permits to import, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Delaware CBP reports 2 insect discovery firsts.

July 5, 2019 By in invasive species, Uncategorized, USDA Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Ozodes multituberculatus

Ozodes multituberculatus. source: USDA photo.

CBP agriculture specialists along with the USDA confirmed the first arrival of two insects at the Wilmington, Delaware port.

In early June, CBP agriculture specialists found an long-horned beetle, an invasive species int he US as they bore into wood and can cause extensive damage to trees. The following week, CBP agriculture specialists discovered an adult weevil in pineapples from Guatemala – the weevils post a threat to our domestic grains and crops.

In the event pests are found, the common CBP protocol is to re-export and fumigate the shipment.

If you have had a shipment or container seized due to the presence of pests such as the weevil, beetle or wood boring wasp or other insect, contact experienced fumigation attorney David Hsu by phone/email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, or dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP intercept invasive and destructive army ant.

July 4, 2019 By in Uncategorized, USDA Tags: Leave a comment

NewWorldArmyAnt

New World Army Ant, source: CBP website

CBP Agriculture Specialists in Florida discovered a rare pest – a New World army ant confirmed  by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The pest was found during an examination of a malanga – a root vegetable commonly found in South America that arrived on a shipment from Mexico.

Customs reports that last year, CBP agriculture specialists intercepted 319 pests per day and quarantined over 4,552 plants, meat, animal byproducts and soil products.

CBP Beagles find Giant African snails.

June 27, 2019 By in Uncategorized, USDA Tags: Leave a comment

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Image of Giant African Snails, source: cbp.gov

Two CBP beagles and CBP Agriculture Specialists found live Giant African Snails in a suitcase along with fruits and vegetables in another.

Seized food products are destroyed and the snails were sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for further evaluation. In both instances, the travelers were not penalized, but warned and advised of the proper declaration of pests and agriculture products.

A quick Google search found a link to an US Department of Agriculture website discussing the Giant African Snail. The snails were first found in Florida in the 1960’s and after 10 years and a $1 million dollars, they were eradicated. Unfortunately, the snails were reintroduced to the US in 2011 and are currently being eradicated. The USDA claims snails consumer over 500 types of plants and can damage plaster and stucco while also caring a parasite that causes meningitis in humans.