Latest news with #MartyRaybon
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Highly invasive wood-boring beetle intercepted at U.S. border
April 7 (UPI) -- A highly invasive wood-boring beetle was intercepted last month by U.S. border agents before it could destroy forests and ecosystems, Customs and Border Protection announced Monday. The live Asian long-horned beetle, which can cause significant damage to hardwood trees, was discovered during an inspection of wood cargo from Romania on March 17. CBP agriculture specialists at the Port Huron rail yard in Michigan found solid insect waste before discovering live beetle larvae. "Our nation's agriculture industry is constantly at risk from pests and disease not known to occur in the United States," said Area Port Director Jeffrey Wilson. "This interception by our highly skilled agriculture specialists showcase our continued commitment to safeguarding American agriculture and protecting public health." The beetle larvae were found inside wood pallets that were stamped with a marking to show that they had been heat-treated to prevent invasive species. The treatment is required by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention and is the international standard for the safe use of wooden pallets and crates. While the marking on the wood packaging material "appeared to be legitimate," agents believe the heat treatment process may not have been "executed properly." Untreated wood packaging material can risk non-native pests -- such as the Asian long-horned beetles -- to be introduced to new environments where they can kill forest and shade trees while causing "significant economic damage." "Every successful interception, like this one, prevents potential devastation to our hardwood trees and reinforces our commitment to keeping invasive pests from harming our environment and economy," said CBP Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon. "The Asian long-horned beetle is a destructive invasive species that threatens our forests and urban landscapes," Raybon added. "This discovery underscores the vital role our agriculture specialists play in protecting the nation's natural resources and economy."
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Miami Herald
Highly invasive wood-boring beetle intercepted at U.S. border
April 7 (UPI) -- A highly invasive wood-boring beetle was intercepted last month by U.S. border agents before it could destroy forests and ecosystems, Customs and Border Protection announced Monday. The live Asian long-horned beetle, which can cause significant damage to hardwood trees, was discovered during an inspection of wood cargo from Romania on March 17. CBP agriculture specialists at the Port Huron rail yard in Michigan found solid insect waste before discovering live beetle larvae. "Our nation's agriculture industry is constantly at risk from pests and disease not known to occur in the United States," said Area Port Director Jeffrey Wilson. "This interception by our highly skilled agriculture specialists showcase our continued commitment to safeguarding American agriculture and protecting public health." The beetle larvae were found inside wood pallets that were stamped with a marking to show that they had been heat-treated to prevent invasive species. The treatment is required by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention and is the international standard for the safe use of wooden pallets and crates. While the marking on the wood packaging material "appeared to be legitimate," agents believe the heat treatment process may not have been "executed properly." Untreated wood packaging material can risk non-native pests -- such as the Asian long-horned beetles -- to be introduced to new environments where they can kill forest and shade trees while causing "significant economic damage." "Every successful interception, like this one, prevents potential devastation to our hardwood trees and reinforces our commitment to keeping invasive pests from harming our environment and economy," said CBP Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon. "The Asian long-horned beetle is a destructive invasive species that threatens our forests and urban landscapes," Raybon added. "This discovery underscores the vital role our agriculture specialists play in protecting the nation's natural resources and economy." Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
CBS News
07-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
CBP agents find invasive Asian longhorned beetle at Michigan railyard
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a live invasive wood-boring insect at a Port Huron railyard in March. CBP agriculture specialists found a live beetle while inspecting a cargo from Romania on March 17, and found live Asian longhorned beetle larvae. It's the first time the insect has been seen in the Port Huron area since November 2021, officials said. "Our nation's agriculture industry is constantly at risk from pests and disease not known to occur in the U.S.," Area Port Director Jeffrey Wilson said in a statement. "This interception by our highly skilled agriculture specialists showcase our continued commitment to safeguarding American agriculture and protecting public health." The Asian longhorned beetle is an invasive species that is known to damage hardwood trees and poses a threat to North America because of its potential to disrupt urban ecosystems and forests. "This discovery underscores the vital role our agriculture specialists play in protecting the nation's natural resources and economy. The Asian longhorned beetle is a destructive invasive species that threatens our forests and urban landscapes," said Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon. "Every successful interception, like this one, prevents potential devastation to our hardwood trees and reinforces our commitment to keeping invasive pests from harming our environment and economy." The invasive insects were found in wood pallets that were stamped in a way that officials say is consistent with heat treatment. Untreated wood packaging material poses a risk of "introducing non-native pest and pathogens to new environments." While agents believe the wood packaging material appeared legitimate, they believe a heat treatment process was not executed properly.
