Photo courtesy of bugwood.org
Agriculture specialists with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations in Miami intercepted an unusual wood-boring pest at the seaport.
The pest, identified as Xyleborus volvulus (a bark/ambrosia beetle member of the Scolytinae family), was discovered during an intensive inspection of a container of cucumbers arriving from Costa Rica.
According to 7 CFR 319.40-3 (b) (3), any shipment with wood packing materials infested with Scolytinae must be re-exported.
Enforcement of these regulations ensures that exporting countries comply with certification procedures for their wood packing materials.