According to a local TV news station in southern Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists recently intercepted Amnestus brunneus, a rare insect pest, in a shipment of celery — a first-in-the-nation discovery.

“Our CBP agriculture specialists are to be commended for their tenacity and attention to detail which resulted in the discovery of a first in the nation pest,” said Efrain Solis, port director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “By intercepting these exotic pests, our agriculture specialists help protect American agriculture and contribute to the nation’s economic security by denying entry to invasive species not known to exist in the U.S.”

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– Agriculture specialists intercept rare pest at Pharr International Bridge