Memphis steams infested chestnuts for the holidays
A month ago US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists in Memphis TN intercepted nine immature insects in a shipment of chestnuts. The eight-kilogram shipment from Bolzano (Italy) was en route to a residential address in Long Island NY and lacked the necessary documentation.
The interception was identified as Cydia, which is a large genus encompassing 11,000 species of moths. They are known agricultural pests in their larval stage and affect fruit and nut trees in particular. Another previously-encountered pest was also intercepted, weevils from the Curculionidae family.
“During this holiday season, when consumers order goods from around the world, it’s doubly important to use legitimate sellers who know our country’s import regulations,” said Memphis area port director Michael Neipert. (cj)