A species of potentially destructive giant scale insect never before recorded at a U.S. port of entry was intercepted at Detroit Metropolitan Airport earlier this year, federal officials announced Friday.
The insects, about 5 millimeters long, were found in February during a routine baggage examination of a traveler carrying fresh pine bark from Cameroon to Illinois. The pests were feeding on the pine bark, which the traveler said was being brought into the country for medicinal purposes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed Aug. 7 that the insects belonged to the genus Aspidoproctus, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Customs and Border Protection announced the interception Sept. 18, saying records indicated it was the first time the genus had been encountered at a U.S. port of entry…