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Baltimore Customs & Border Protection intercept destructive Asian Gypsy Moth eggs

Posted at 7:20 PM, Sep 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-12 19:20:38-04

BALTIMORE — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted destructive Asian Gypsy Moth egg masses on four ships recently in the port of Baltimore.

The moths are one of the most destructive insect pests in the world and are not known to occur in the United States.

CBP agriculture specialists removed the egg masses and treated the affected area with a pest spray oil. Each ships’ crew assisted in mitigation efforts under CBP direction and supervision.

“Asian Gypsy Moth is a highly destructive invasive pest, and it poses a clear threat to our nation’s natural resources,” said Casey Durst, CBP’s Director of the Baltimore Field Office. “Here in Maryland, Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists continue to exercise extraordinary vigilance and conduct stringent inspections of vessels and their cargo in the fight to protect agriculture and economic prosperity locally, and nationally, from these invasive pests."