Inspectors in Minnesota stop destructive Khapra beetle
Work by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists in International Falls, Minn. and Detroit helped find a small yet destructive beetle stowing away in a shipment from China.
The agency says this week the khapra beetle was found in a rail container carrying tile.
Last month, agriculture specialists in Minnesota became suspicious that the container might be infested with pests. So they sent the container to Michigan for further inspection and the beetle was found.
Customs and Border Protection spokesman Ron Smith tells the Detroit Free Press the beetle now is on display at an agency laboratory.
The khapra beetle damages grain and cereal products, seeds, cottonseed meal, nut meats, dried fruits and other products.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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