Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Destructive agricultural pest caught by U.S. Customs officers

The Mediterranean fruit fly was intercepted in Philadelphia

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Agriculture specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted what’s been called one of the world’s most destructive agricultural pests.

On Dec. 14, officers found signs of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly for short) in a shipment of Moroccan clementines in Camden, New Jersey.

The medfly is capable of damaging a variety of fruit crops. The female attacks the ripening fruit by piercing the soft skin and laying eggs inside the puncture. Once the eggs hatch into larvae, they eat the fruit, making it inedible for humans.


Mediterranean fruit fly
Photo: USDA

“Given that the Mediterranean fruit fly is one of the world’s most destructive agriculture pests, this is an extremely important find,” Kevin Donohue, CBP’s acting port director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, said in a release. “If Mediterranean fruit fly were to take hold in the United States, the estimated agricultural and economic loss would be devastating. Safeguarding America’s agriculture industries remains an enforcement priority for CBP, and it’s a mission that we take very seriously.”

The affected shipment contained more than 100,000 cases of clementines. Inspectors found one live larvae among many dead ones. The shipment was quarantined and the larvae were submitted to USDA entomologists for identification.

CBP said on any given day it can intercept more than 4,600 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including more than 450 agriculture pests and diseases.


Trending Video

Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

Video: Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. David Rosero from Iowa State University explores the critical aspects of fat quality and oxidation in swine diets. He discusses how different types of lipids affect pig performance and provides actionable insights on managing lipid oxidation in feed mills. Don’t miss this episode—available on all major platforms.

Highlight quote: "Increasing levels of oxidized fats in swine diets reduced the efficiency of feed utilization, increased mortality, and led to more pigs being classified as culls, reducing the number of full-value pigs entering the finishing barns."

Meet the guest: Dr. David Rosero / davidrosero is an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. His research program focuses on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and the practical application of smart farming. He previously served as the technical officer for The Hanor Company, overseeing nutrition, research, and innovation efforts.