Customs officials thwart pest at L.A. port

Customs officials thwart pest at L.A. port    U.S. Customs and Border Protection ordered to international waters a vessel arriving from Japan at the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach after officers discovered 24 Asian gypsy moths and egg masses.
   CBP agriculture specialists and officers boarded the vessel two weeks ago and found one egg mass at the gangway, another egg mass forward of the superstructure under the pipes, 12 egg masses from the superstructure, 10 egg masses from the main deck and hatches, and one dead adult moth, according to the agency.
   The Asian gypsy moth has never established itself in the United States but is a threat to hardwood trees. Egg masses, the most likely life stage to be found on a vessel, are extremely hardy and their tolerance of temperature and moisture extremes enhances the risk of spread. Gypsy moth caterpillars with voracious appetites cause all of the damage done by the moth. Defoliation leaves trees susceptible to disease.
   While outside U.S. waters the crew removed the egg masses, and a pesticide company was brought in to treat the vessel. The vessel was allowed in port after a re-inspection on Aug. 12 found it to be free of pests.
   The inspection was notable because of the large number of eggs discovered. U.S. and Canadian officials have had success the past couple of years in reducing finds of Asian gypsy moths after a public campaign to educate vessel operators about the importance of searching for the moths after leaving foreign ports and tighter requirements by international agricultural services to keep vessels free of the moths prior to departure.