Invasive Pest Found First Time In U.S. At Border Crossing
October 20, 2014 
Phaecasiophora fernaldana Walsingham moth (Photo credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Invasive Pest Found First Time In U.S. At Border Crossing
Moth known to feed on apples, apple buds, leaves, and shoots, is found in a container full of pump valves originating in China.
On Oct. 8, a USDA entomologist confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, NY, intercepted an invasive insect, Phaecasiophora fernaldana Walsingham, a moth from the Tortricidae family. This is the first discovery of this pest in the U.S. and is not known to exist in the Western Hemisphere.
This moth poses a potential significant threat to the agriculture industry because it is known to feed on apples, apple buds, leaves, and shoots.
“CBP agriculture specialists in the Port of Buffalo do an excellent job of detecting invasive pests that could cause harm to the United States agriculture industry,” said Randy Howe, Director of Field Operations for the Buffalo Field Office. “We have an excellent working relationship with USDA and this is another example of CBP and USDA working closely together to protect the nation’s agriculture resources.”
On Oct. 6, CBP agriculture specialists at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing inspected a truck hauling an ocean container full of pump valves which originated in China. During the inspection, a pest resembling a moth was discovered and forwarded to a USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) — Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) entomologist and identified as Phaecasiopha fernaldana Walsingham.
CBP issued an Emergency Action Notification to the importer and following CBP procedures, the shipment will be re-exported to Canada.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release
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