Khapra Beetle Being Found More and More in US Grain Imports

Wednesday, 5th October 2011

Most people only think about pests when they invade your home. However, the truth is that the entire world needs to be concerned about pest problems every day. One example is the Khapra beetle. This beetle is known to feast on crops and grain with the potential to wipe out as much as 70% or more grain in any given harvest.

Now it appears that the infamous beetle from India has made its way in the US. While the pests have yet to start feasting on US food supplies, the risk is still there. Customs and border patrol experts have found as many as 100 or more of these beetles in products crossing into the country, and although they have intercepted them, concerns are high about what would happen if the beetle slipped through.

If the beetle were to get into the US grain supply, it would have implications on a global scale. With the US being the world’s third biggest provider of wheat and the world’s largest provider of corn, a 70% devastation of US grain crops, such as is possible with a Khapra beetle infestation, would mean skyrocketing prices for both crops. So far, US Customs has managed to prevent such from happening, and grain imports are being strictly monitored to prevent Khapra infestation.

-The Connor’s News Team

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