![]()
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists in two Washington, D.C., area airports recently intercepted one of the most invasive and destructive insects.
NTEU-represented Agriculture Specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles) and Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) discovered the Khapra beetles during baggage inspections of travelers returning from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. They found live adult beetles, as well as live and dead larvae in dry rice and cow peas brought into the country.
“The USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] and CBP have tried hard to prevent a Khapra beetle infestation on U.S. soil,” said Anthony Quigley, a Chapter 159 (CBP Dulles) steward and Agriculture Specialist who has intercepted many invasive pests at the airport. “Dulles Agriculture Specialists have a proud reputation for finding and seizing prohibited items that are contaminated with Khapra beetle infestations, with seizures going back to 2012.”
According to Quigley, the beetle generally infests cucurbit seeds and rice and has infested far beyond its native region of South Asia, extending to the western coast of Africa. Previous infestations have resulted in costly long-term control and eradication efforts, according to the USDA.
Labeled a ‘dirty feeder’, the Khapra beetle damages more grain than it consumes and contaminates grain with body parts and hair. These contaminants may cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults and are especially dangerous to infants.
“CBP Agriculture Specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection,” said National President Tony Reardon. “NTEU is proud to represent these highly-skilled employees who safeguard our agriculture every day by meticulously inspecting travelers and goods arriving into our country.”