"'Dangerous' Beetle Found at Los Angeles Airport"

"LOS ANGELES -- U.S. customs officials said on Wednesday they had found a beetle considered one of the world's most dangerous agricultural pests in a shipment of rice arriving at Los Angeles International Airport.

Agricultural specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection found an adult khapra beetle, eight larvae and a shed skin in a shipment of Indian rice from Saudi Arabia last week, spokesman Jaime Ruiz said.

The khapra beetle, which is native to India and not currently established in the United States, is considered one of the most destructive pests of grain products and seeds."

Dan Whitcomb reports for Reuters January 5, 2011.