Key highlights:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 37 giant beetles hidden in Japanese snack packets at Los Angeles International Airport.
• Each beetle, measuring 4-5 inches long, is valued at approximately $1,480, posing significant agricultural risks.
• The beetles likely had been intended for the illegal wildlife trade, a lucrative market among collectors.

In a startling discovery, ABC News reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists found 37 live giant beetles carefully concealed within packages of Japanese snacks, including potato chips and chocolate, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The confiscation occurred during a routine inspection of a shipment arriving last month from Japan via air cargo. The beetles, estimated to be worth $1,480, measured between four to five inches long and are highly sought after by insect collectors and enthusiasts.

Cheryl M. Davies, the Los Angeles CBP Director of Field Operations, stated, “They may look harmless but in reality, smuggled beetles pose a significant threat to our vital agriculture resources.” These beetles can damage forests by consuming plants, leaves, and roots and by laying eggs that could impact tree bark, as detailed in a release by the Los Angeles Times.

The illegal trade of exotic insects is a growing concern, with market advantages enticing smugglers to bypass U.S. agricultural import regulations. Live insects require a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine permit for lawful entry into the country.

The recovered beetles have been transferred to USDA officials, who will decide their fate. The likely scenarios include donations to local zoos equipped to care for such species or preservation within educational collections, according to statements from USA Today.

Andrew H. Douglas, Port Director at CBP LAX, remarked on the significance of their role in safeguarding against harmful pests, emphasizing that their dedicated specialists play a crucial part in national security by preventing potentially harmful species from entering the U.S. Source