CBP intercepts pest at San Juan airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists stopped a shipment of fresh flowers that arrived in Puerto Rico’s San Juan airport from Bogota, Colombia that contained a harmful insect.    U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist stopped a shipment of fresh flowers that arrived at Puerto Rico’s San Juan airport from Bogota, Colombia that contained a harmful insect.
   The insect, Guayaquila pallescens Stal (Membracidae), or also known as treehoppers or thorn bugs, was considered by CBP to be a “first time in port” interception of its kind.
   CBP said the shipment was safeguarded until it was transferred for destruction.
   “These discoveries are a significant accomplishment, as well as a sobering warning of potential agricultural threats,” said Mayra Claudio, CBP’s San Juan assistant area port director for trade, in a statement.