‘Potentially destructive’ bark beetle found at Detroit airport — a 1st in U.S.: border officials

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a “potentially destructive” bark beetle species found in wood from Ivory Coast was intercepted at Detroit’s airport.

The discovery was made in February, but officials only announced the news on Thursday.

The roughly three-millimetre insect was found within partially dry bark brought for medicinal purposes during a routine inspection of a passenger flight to Texas. The passenger was released without incident.

In mid-October, the insect was further identified as a Ctonoxlyon spinifer egger.

Border officials say that, according to their records, this is the first time the insect has been seized at a U.S. port of entry.

“This first-time bark beetle interception is significant because many species are tree-destroying pests,” said port director Fadia Pastilong in a statement.

 “This type of discovery highlights the exceptional work of our CBP agriculture specialists.”

While research on this type of bark beetle is limited, according to border officials, several of the known species are reported to feed on fig and olive trees.

“Big threats can come in small packages,” said Mary C. Raybon, CBP’s director of field operations.