Rare Foreign Pest Discovered inside Texas-Bound Shipment from Mexico

A bug that is not native to the U.S. has been discovered inside a shipment of palm leaves heading into the country from Mexico, causing concern for a potential spread of this invasive pest.

6-Legged Hitchhiker in Texas

Border agents at the Brownsville port of entry in Texas made a shocking discovery after this little guy popped up inside a shipment of palm leaves:

I mean, it's kind of adorable, right? If you squint all the way and look away from the screen.

The release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the little guy was alive when they found him... but I'm not too sure that lasted long just by looking at this picture.

Experts confirmed it was indeed the destructive agriculture pest that they feared, and the shipment was sent back to Mexico.

What are Corn Rootworms?

Despite sounding like an ingredient in a witch's brew, the corn rootworm (AKA Diabrotica sexmaculata) orginates from Central America since 1879 and has a distinct color pattern.

The native species of this beetle in North America is responsible for nearly $1 billion in lost corn crop revenue each year. So, we don't even like the native species we have, we certainly don't want it's cousins from Mexico and Guatemala joining the party!

Most of the damage is from the larvae feeding on the roots of corn crops, but neither the babies nor the adults attack humans in any way. They really are just annoying more than anything.