First U.S. Interception of Osbornellus Salsus Leafhopper Threatens Agriculture

San Luis, Arizona – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Port of San Luis recently intercepted Osbornellus salsus, a leafhopper species never before identified in the United States. The discovery occurred during a routine inspection of a radicchio shipment originating from Mexico, according to a CBP statement. This incident highlights the continuous threat invasive pests pose to the nation's agricultural sector.

Osbornellus salsus is a type of leafhopper known for feeding on plants by extracting sap from grasses, trees, and shrubs. Critically, these insects are recognized carriers of various plant diseases and pathogens, which could severely impact U.S. crops if allowed to establish. The intercepted radicchio shipment was promptly secured and returned to Mexico, adhering to established protocols designed to prevent the introduction of foreign pests.

The interception underscores the vital role of CBP's agricultural inspection program. In the fiscal year 2023 alone, CBP agriculture specialists nationwide conducted over 1.1 million inspections, leading to more than 270,000 pest interceptions. These efforts prevented 2,548 significant pest finds and 240,242 plant product interceptions, demonstrating the scale of potential threats. Director of Field Operations Guadalupe Ramirez of the Tucson Field Office emphasized, "CBP agriculture specialists are highly trained in detecting harmful pests. They do an excellent job in determining the admissibility of agricultural commodities."

The economic impact of invasive agricultural pests is substantial, with estimates suggesting annual costs in the U.S. reaching into the tens of billions of dollars due to crop damage and control measures. Leafhoppers, in particular, are notorious for transmitting phytoplasmas, which are bacterial plant pathogens that can cause devastating diseases like grapevine yellows and aster yellows. The introduction of a new vector species like Osbornellus salsus could create new pathways for disease spread, posing a significant risk to various crops.

This first-time detection of Osbornellus salsus serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing vigilance required to protect U.S. agriculture from biological threats. CBP continues to work closely with partners like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to safeguard the nation's food supply and natural resources from evolving pest challenges.