The US Department of Agriculture confirmed that nine egg masses that Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered on a merchant ship June 2 was a first reported discovery in Maryland.
Using DNA analysis, USDA entomologist identified the egg masses as Paracles azollae, a moth species known to occur in Argentina, and a first local reported discovery of this species.
CBP discovered the egg masses on various parts of the M/V Star Kinn including at the bridge and mooring station. The M/V Star Kinn is a general cargo vessel that arrived from Brazil.
One day earlier, CBP agriculture specialists discovered one egg mass on the exterior of a shipping container of aluminum billets from India. The USDA entomologist identified the egg mass as Lymantria dispar asiatica/japonica, the highly destructive Asian/Japanese gypsy moth (AGM).
CBP removed the egg masses, treated the container and vessel with a pest spray oil, and submitted specimens to the USDA entomologist for identification.
Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) is one of the most destructive insect pests in the world. AGM are not known to occur in the United States.
