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Homeland Security Nabs Dangerous Afghan Stowaway

... a type of moth especially destructive to crops

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 14, 2012 5:12 PM CDT

(AP) – Homeland security officials in Philadelphia say they've intercepted a destructive insect species that hitched a ride to the US aboard a military plane. Agriculture specialists with Customs and Border Protection found noctuid moths among equipment returning from Afghanistan. These particular moths are severe pests that feast on fruit and vegetable crops.

They were found May 24 aboard a plane that landed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. The cargo was quarantined, and the plane decontaminated. Homeland Security officials say it's the first documented interception in the area and fourth national interception of this insect.

File photo of a noctuid moth from Wikimedia Commons.
File photo of a noctuid moth from Wikimedia Commons.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Riffran
Jun 15, 2012 2:00 PM CDT
well sh**.  I just knew a Buffalo Bob reference was going to be there...."It places the lotion on it's skin as it's told" 
HANKHILL
Jun 15, 2012 10:08 AM CDT
nice catch noctuid moths make good eats!
williambaranowski
Jun 15, 2012 3:00 AM CDT
They're harder to find now, since they don't like to fly around the new bulbs, that much. We're doomed to an infestation by October. It will be a surprise.

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 

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