Border Protection Intercepts New Leafhopper In Wine Shipment

Euscelis incisus Kirschbaum (Photo credit: CPB)

Euscelis incisus Kirschbaum (Photo credit: CPB)

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist working at the Houston Seaport intercepted a “First in the Nation” pest, preventing its introduction into the U.S.

The adult leafhopper pest was found in a tile and wine shipment imported from Italy; the pest has never before been reported in American agriculture.

Advertisement

A CBP agriculture specialist was inspecting the shipment when she intercepted a leafhopper inside the container. The specialist obtained the specimen and forwarded it to a USDA and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) entomologist for identification.

The Smithsonian Systematic Entomology Laboratory identified the pest as

Top Articles
Have a Plan For Climate Change? Why Fruit Growers Need To Act Now

(Cicadellidae), a “First in Nation” pest for the U.S.

USDA determined the shipment could not be treated because the wine corks would absorb the methyl bromide fumigant and deemed the shipment would not be safe for human consumption if treated.

“CBP agriculture specialists pay such microscopic attention to detail when inspecting agriculture products that they are able to find the tiniest of pests or plant disease,” says Acting Area Port Director Erik Shoberg.  “This interception is an example of how our agriculture specialists work to prevent the introduction of harmful pests that could negatively affect U.S. agriculture.”

The Euscelis incisus Kirschbaum has been known to affect citrus, apples, pears, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, grapevines, peaches, and other crops in Europe.

0

Leave a Reply

Avatar for John John says:

A well done to the CBP agricultural specialist who intercepted the Euscelis incises Kirschbaum and to all the specialists who protect our borders from these harmful pests. All we need is another invasive pest to deal with in agriculture…..

Avatar for Laurie Ann Laurie Ann says:

This articles sings praises but leaves the reader dissatisfied. Nothing was done about the leaf hopper. Let the grower-shipper and the importer take a loss for the greater good. They will try harder to prevent the pests if it hurts financially. Apparently it’s going to be exterminated by random chance on its trip deep into the heart of America, is that how it’s handled?

Advertisement