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The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office reported that the package came from the United Kingdom, and was destined for the state of California, contained caterpillars of the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), which is one of the largest insects that exist since it can reach up to 27 centimeters wide with its wings extended.
“This is a serious agricultural pest that quickly feeds on the foliage of fruit plants such as citrus and guava,” said Christopher Maston, director of the CBP port of entry at Miami International Airport.
This is the Atlas moth, one of the largest insects, reaching 27 centimeters wide with its wings spread. Photo: Pixabay.
The caterpillars were seized on April 28, in addition. ANDThis moth endemic to Asia is up to 12 centimeters long and is classified as a pest because it constantly feeds on fruit trees. Hence The CBP official has said that damage from these caterpillars to the American agricultural system could cause incalculable damage.
You can read: Seven things you should know about the deadly Asian hornet
The seized caterpillars were sent to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Miami Plant Inspection Station to identify them, which increased the concern of the US authorities, given the alert that exists after the entry of the Asian hornet that has local fauna at risk.
So the official highlighted the seizure of this plague as part of the hard work for the protection of the country’s agricultural industry and added that during the fiscal year of 2019, which ended in September of that year, Nearly 118,000 potentially dangerous pests were confiscated at ports of entry into the United States.
