Beetle found in LAX rice shipment

LOS ANGELES - U.S. Customes officials intercepted a destructive species of beetle during an inspection at Los Angeles International Airport.Authorities say they found the khapra beetle in a shipment of Indian Rice arriving from Saudi Arabia. The beetle was described as "one of the world's most destructive grain and seed pests" due to its tolerance to many insecticides and ability to survive without food for long periods of time. The rice shipment was destroyed and no arrests were made.

********** Published: January 6, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 38