Federal agents in New Orleans ordered a cargo ship to leave the US, as they found wood infested with an Asian beetle that has been destroying trees in the US.
The inspection discovered the beetle in wood onboard the Pan Jasmine on July 17, as the wood was found to have burrowing holes and fresh sawdust.
According to information, U.S. Department of Agriculture insect specialists identified five pests in the wood. Two of them are considered serious risks to U.S. crops.
As a result, the ship was ordered to leave U.S. waters, and left on July 21 for Freeport, Bahamas, for wood disposal services.
The beetle nests into wood, feeding on a wide variety of trees in the U.S., eventually killing them. The ant creates permanent colonies that can compete with native species and damage crops.
