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Charleston - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist recently made a significant agriculture interception at the port of Charleston, official announced today.

The discovery is a first time interception of a leaf bug in the continental United States. In total, six insects and one snail were intercepted as a result of the examination.

The pests were found in a cargo shipment of ceramic tile arriving from Italy. The six insects and one snail were submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture for identification. Final determination revealed three of the insects and the snail to be quarantined significant pests. The leaf bug is a known insect in Alaska and some western provinces of Canada. However, it has not been established in the lower 48 states. The leaf bug is known to carry disease. If not for this discovery by CBP, the leaf bug could have had disastrous effects on the local agriculture industry. The shipment of ceramic tile was sent for fumigation. Additionally, the leaf bug specimen was sent to the Smithsonian Institution for inclusion in their collection.

“This is an excellent example of the work performed by CBP agriculture specialists,” said Robert A. Fencel area port director in Charleston. “This interdiction is important as it is the first time this pest has been found in the continental United States. The fact that the Smithsonian Institution has requested this specimen highlights the significance of the interdiction.”

“CBP agriculture specialists protect the United States from the threat of invasive pests and diseases through inspection, detection and prevention efforts designed to keep prohibited agricultural items from entering the country,” said Robert C. Gomez, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, director of operations in Atlanta. “These items, whether in commercial cargo or with a person entering the United States, could cause serious damage to America’s crops, livestock and the environment.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.