Originally published at: Rare creepy pest never seen in US found in fresh fruit shipment | Boing Boing
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Here we go again. I’d just assume it’s going to be established. I have no faith whatsoever in state/federal measures to keep things like this at bay. Like Asian Carp in the Great Lakes, I betcha this little bug is here to stay.
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Yep. My admittedly pessimistic 30-year outlook looks increasingly likely: warming climate causes crop failures, leading to large-scale population migration, and nation/states collapsing under the burden thereof.
I think I may go fix myself a wee drink.
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I betcha a dollar 
that you’re right.
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If that’s a picture of the invasive species, then it’s actually a pretty cute beetle. 
kind it looks like a June bug and a bumble bee had a love child at Woodstock.
I’ll still kill it with fire, though.
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The shipment was refused entry and returned to Mexico.
It’ll be on tomorrow’s truck.
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When I was 19 years old, I started working as a produce clerk for a large grocery chain in northern CA and spend a decade and a half doing that.
The icky bugs and stuff we would find… The bananas were the most common place to see invaders. Cockroaches, spiders and one time a tree frog (deceased) were among the usual suspects there.
One summer the central valley grapes were infested with black widow spiders. I never got bit, but came close. Yes, those suckers were always found alive.
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Mangosteen are delicious. I thought that they had to be irradiated before being imported into the US specifically because of pest concerns.
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Why is a southeast asian fruit entering the US by truck from Mexico?
Secondly, global warming is leading many Central American insects to make a first ever trip to the states. The central american locust has never made it to the US either, but is within 50 miles this year and will be swarming Texas farms in the next couple years.
We should really think about doing something to address climate change
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According to the US Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists, Cochabambas have never made it this far north before.
QAnon: “Build the wall higher!”
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Given the way things are going, I’m going to stay in the United States until we once again secure the rights of all people to equality, justice, and their personal healthcare decisions (yes, abortions). After that, assuming I’m still alive - and I suspect this will continue beyond me, to be frank, it’s not going to be won in a year or two or five - I’m moving to fucking Ireland and retiring from the world. Climate change is about to crash down on us in a big way. The slow boil is going to turn to a roiling one, and bugs like this migrating are going to be the least of our concerns.
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I may not agree with your decision, being a Yankee who emigrated to Germany (though back in the USA to visit my parents and writing this now because jet lag has me waking so early), I do sympathize with your feelings. It’s why I still work with Democrats Abroad, and look to do what I can where I live.
This little beetle is yet another canary in the coal mine, so to speak. There are so many things that can be done to help turn away, but they aren’t being considered at all, little things like solar roofing, or making things pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Actually cutting back consumption instead of sacrificing everything to growth.
So yeah. Bugs are on the move. We need to step up our efforts to change things.
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Because they are grown in Mexico. Just like tomatoes, maize, and potatoes are grown in Asia, Asian foods are grown in the New World where the climate suits.
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CBP refused entry to the shipment and returned it back to Mexico.
Did you not read the article? They turned the shipment around! What? Are you saying a bug would disobey a law and jump off whenever it feels like it? /s
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Oh, great! Radioactive Cochabamba Leaf Beetles. Just what the world needs.
Still, something new for the superhero franchise-flogging movie-makers to play with, I suppose.
(ETA @Grasshopper’s user name checks out. Not a pest at all. Unlike their relatives the locusts.)
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Is this the Bruce Springsteen line of mangos I haven’t heard about, and that contain insect protein supplementation?
Better block shipments of Yngwie Malmsteen. In an abundance of caution.
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