U.S. Customs intercepts a stowaway pest

During a routine inspection of produce at the US-Mexico border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists intercepted a species of leafhopper never detected in the United States. The species, identified as Osbornellus salsus, was found on a shipment of radicchio—a leafy vegetable entering from Mexico at Port San Luis in central California. Little is known about this species of leafhopper, but the alarm was raised because leafhoppers are known to damage agricultural and native plants by feeding on their sap and transmitting diseases. While some species of leafhoppers are native to the United States, this nonnative species could impact crops and natural vegetation. In response to the discovery, the radicchio shipment was secured and returned to Mexico to prevent spread into the U.S.

Read more in a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.