Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Border specialists intercept ag pests

Border specialists intercept ag pests

Shipments of grapes and pumpkins contained seed bugs and cucumber moths

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Two potentially dangerous crop pests didn’t get a chance to establish themselves in America, thanks to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists.

Between Oct. 5 and Oct. 7, inspectors found an Ochrostomus sp. (Lygaeidae), commonly referred to as a seed bug, in a shipment of Brazilian grapes, and Diaphania sp., known as a cucumber moth, in a shipment of Costa Rican pumpkins.

The discoveries happened at the ports of Philadelphia, Pa. and Wilmington, Del.

The seed bug discovery is a first for the Delaware port, meaning the insect represented a new local pest threat.

These insects are known to eat crops including tomatoes, cotton, tobacco and grapes.

As the name implies, the bug feeds on seeds or “portions of the plant that give a high nutrient return,” a 2014 study says.

The cucumber moth feeds on members of the cucurbit family.

These include watermelon, cucumber, pumpkins and melons.

Cucumber moth caterpillars “attack the flowers and reduce the number of fruits set,” Pestnet.org says.

The caterpillars will also feed on young fruit, damaging the skin and causing them to rot.

Keeping pests like these out of the country helps ensure America’s food supply is safe.

CBP ag specialists “are on the frontline against the extraordinary threat posed by invasive and highly pathogenic animal and plant diseases that threaten our economic security,” Casey Durst, director of field operations for CBP’s field office in Baltimore, said in a statement.

The ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington are among the busiest in the country.

Seaports in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey rank first in the country for imported produce for 17 products including apples, grapes, bananas and oranges.

The Port of Philadelphia itself is the nation’s leader in beef imports from Australia and New Zealand. The port handles about 639 million pounds of beef each year, worth almost $2 billion.

CBP photo


Trending Video

Revolutionizing Pig Productivity: Unveiling Humic Substance Innovations

Video: Revolutionizing Pig Productivity: Unveiling Humic Substance Innovations

Join us in this episode of Innovative Insights as we unravel the outcomes of a comprehensive series of studies conducted by Innovative Solutions. Dr. Tom Weber and Kale Causemaker share their expertise on the utilization of humic substances, shedding light on its profound impact on swine management.

1. Study Motivation: Discover the driving force behind the comprehensive series of studies conducted by Innovative Solutions, exploring the potential of humic substances to revolutionize swine management.

2. Humic Substance Explanation: Gain a clear understanding of humic substances, organic compounds derived from decomposed plant and animal matter, and their significance in enhancing pig health and overall industry efficiency.

3. Mortality Reduction Explanation: Explore how humic substances contribute to a notable reduction in pig mortality, shedding light on the boosted immune response and improved overall health observed in the studies.

4. Key Takeaways: Uncover key insights from the research, including the potential benefits for nursery pigs and the synergistic effects when combined with butyric acid—a holistic approach to swine nutrition.

5. Benefits to Producers: Learn about the direct benefits producers can expect by incorporating humic substances into their swine management practices, from enhanced pig health to increased overall productivity.

6. Next at Innovative Solutions: Kale Causemaker teases two groundbreaking product launches at upcoming winter tradeshows, promising innovations designed to elevate swine management practices and contribute to the success of producers. Stay tuned for the future of swine industry advancements with Innovative Solutions!

Don't miss this insightful episode as we explore the transformative potential of humic substances in revolutionizing swine management.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published