Giant scale insects of the Aspidoproctus species were discovered earlier this year at Detroit Metropolitan Airport during a routine inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists. These insects, measuring about 5 millimeters in size and covered in waxy protrusions, were found feeding on fresh pine bark that had been transported from Cameroon to Illinois by an unnamed traveler from Cameroon. The traveler had brought the bark for medicinal use. After being informed of U.S. regulations, the traveler was released without any issues, and the insects were also released without causing any incidents. The identification of the insects began in February when CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture provisionally classified them as giant scales. The species was confirmed on August 7 by the USDA. The Aspidoproctus genus, native to Africa, is among the largest scale insect groups in the world, with some individuals reaching up to 1.5 inches in length. Female scale insects are particularly notable for their reproductive capacity, with each able to lay more than 5,000 eggs. Their nymphs, or immature stages, are carried by the wind, enabling the insects to spread widely. Many scale insects feed on plant sap, which can weaken or kill trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. Port Director Fadia Pastilong emphasized that this was the first known interception of the species within the United States. She noted that pests like these can pose serious threats to the country's natural resources and key economic sectors, such as agriculture. Marty C. Raybon, director of field operations at CBP, highlighted the importance of educating travelers about the risks associated with bringing in exotic plant material. He praised the work of agriculture specialists in safeguarding U.S. agricultural interests by detecting and managing such threats. This discovery followed the identification of another previously unseen insect, the straw crest moth, at the same airport just weeks earlier. In January, a passenger from Ghana was inspected after a canine agriculture detector reacted to their luggage, which contained corn and seeds. Inside the luggage, authorities found a winged insect, which was later identified as the straw crest moth in August. The moth feeds on plants in the rockrose family. The Ghanaian traveler was informed of U.S. regulations and released without incident. According to CBP, these types of insects are typically kept in check in their native environments in Europe and Africa by natural predators and plant defenses. However, when they are introduced to new regions without these natural controls, they can become invasive, leading to significant environmental and economic damage.