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  4. Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Agriculture Specialist Intercepts First in Port Pest

Brownsville Port of Entry CBP Agriculture Specialist Intercepts First in Port Pest

Release Date
Wed, 03/22/2017

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialist working at the Veterans International Bridge intercepted a “First in Port” pest from the bed of a pick-up truck.   

 “I commend our CBP agriculture specialists for their diligence and dedication in safeguarding the agriculture of the United States,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.

A specimen of Lyageus analis Dallis intercepted by CBP agriculture specialists at Brownsville Port of Entry
A specimen of Lyageus analis Dallis,
a first import pest, intercepted by CBP
agriculture specialists at Brownsville
Port of Entry

The interception occurred on March 7, at the Veterans International Bridge when a pick-up truck traveling from Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas, Mexico to Atlanta, Georgia, was referred to CBP secondary for agriculture inspection.  At CBP secondary, upon inspection of the bed of the pick-up truck, a CBP agriculture specialist intercepted a live insect found in ceramic planters. The pest was submitted for identification to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist who identified it as Lygaeus analis Dallis, an actionable pest. On March 16, identifiers with the USDA Plant Inspection Station, confirmed the interception of Lygaeus analis Dallis, as a first time interception at the Port of Brownsville. Lygaeus analis Dallis has only been intercepted in three occasions throughout the nation.

Lygaeus analis Dallis is a pest not known to occur in the United States. This insect belongs to the Lygaeidae family, commonly known as seed bugs.  Several species in the Lygaeidae family are of economic importance due to their status as pests of cultivated plants.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021