‘Potentially destructive’ beetle intercepted at Detroit Metro Airport, a first nationwide

ROMULUS, Mich. – A potentially destructive bark beetle was stopped from entering the country for the very first time at Detroit Metro Airport.

According to authorities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered a 3-millimeter bark beetle in dry bark brought in for medicinal purposes during an inspection of a passenger traveling to Texas from Africa.

The beetle was identified as Ctonoxylon spinifer Eggers, a species never before intercepted at a U.S. port of entry.

Unlike many bark beetle species that tunnel beneath bark and excavate galleries for their larvae, Ctonoxylon spinifer tunnels and breeds within bark layers. Authorities said it has the potential to cause significant agricultural and economic damage in Texas.

The beetle and the prohibited bark were seized for further analysis, and the passenger was released.