One of the world’s most-destructive insects was intercepted by customs officials at the Washington-Dulles International Airport.
Officials found two Khapra beetle larvae inside a rice-filled burlap bag in a suitcase from Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials.
The Khapra beetle is labeled a ‘dirty feeder’ because it damages more grain than it consumes, and then ruins the grain with body parts and hairs, officials said. The contaminants cause gastrointestinal problems and especially sickens infants.
The beetles can withstand insecticides and can survive for long periods of time without food.
It was the second Kharpa beetle discovered at Washington-Dulles since 2001, officials said.
