Multiply Pesticide-Resistant Grain-Munching Khapra Beetle Found In LAX Passenger's Luggage

[hatrack]

Oops.

Customs officials say they intercepted one of the world’s most destructive grain and seed pests during an inspection at Los Angeles International Airport.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection say inspectors discovered a bug known as the khapra beetle last week in a bag of Indian rice that a passenger was bringing from Saudi Arabia on a Dec. 29 flight. The bag was destroyed.

The khapra beetle is dangerous, officials say, because it feeds on grain and is tolerant to many insecticides.

“They’re good at hiding and they multiply,” said Naveeda Mirza, the inspection agency’s agriculture program manager. “Before you know it, half of your grain is gone." In the 1960s, the state of California spent millions of dollars to eradicate a khapra beetle infestation in the state, Mirza said.

EDIT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/khapra-beetle-infestation-lax.html

[phantom power]

1. In the 1960s, they were probably not pesticide resistant.

Wonder how that will go, the next time.

[hlthe2b]

2. Too bad one of these hasn't emerged specific ONLY to monsanto

GMO crops.

[Sal Minella]

3. O what a wonderful thought!

The GMO beetle -- Get Monsanto Ostracized!

[CC]

5. Give it time

and one just might. Of course by then all food will be Monsanto contaminated.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Wow...these beetles are really tiny!