Ento-musings from the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Invasive beetle intercepted at Louisville airport

by Julie Peterson, UK Entomology Graduate Student

Here's an article from the Louisville Courier Journal about customs agents intercepting a larval Khapra beetle from oats on a UPS shipment:

"Harmful Beetle Found in UPS Package"

Just another way that invasive pests can travel worldwide! The Khapra beetle is a serious pest of stored grains, so its introduction in the US could be very harmful. Here's a link to more information on this beetle:

Khapra Beetle

We should say thanks to all the customs, USDA, and other regulatory agents who search imported products to catch tiny little invasives like this guy!
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1 comment:

  1. Blake NewtonFebruary 18, 2010 at 12:56 PM

    I haven't heard of this particular critter before. Looks like a nasty pest, and potentially difficult to distinguish from common native dermestid beetles.

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