U.S. Customs intercepts rare caper fruit fly larvae at Detroit airport, highlighting threat to agriculture.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted live larvae of a rare caper fruit fly at Detroit Metro Airport in June. The larvae were found on fresh caper flowers in a traveler's luggage from Italy after they refused to answer agricultural questions. This is the second time this specific fly, which belongs to a family of destructive agricultural pests, has been detected in the U.S., the first being in Tampa, Florida, 20 years ago. CBP stresses the importance of preventing such pests to avoid economic damage.

November 21, 2024
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