U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently discovered 37 live giant beetles hidden in a cargo shipment of snacks from Japan at Los Angeles International Airport. Valued at $1,480, these exotic beetles, popular among collectors, pose significant risks to agriculture and forests in the U.S. Smuggled beetles can damage plants and trees, which is why the Department of Agriculture regulates their importation. These insects have been seized and will likely be donated to zoos or preserved for collections, but the details about their shipment are unclear.
The packages of potato chips, chocolate and various Japanese snacks that arrived at Los Angeles International Airport last month contained more than just tasty treats.
'They may look harmless but in reality, smuggled beetles pose a significant threat to our vital agriculture resources,' said Cheryl M. Davies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires those who want to import live insects into the United States to obtain a permit.
Exotic insects have become popular among collectors and invertebrate aficionados across the globe, making them a lucrative part of the illegal wildlife trade.
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