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Customs Agents Thwart Arrival of Invasive Leafhopper Species in the U.S.
25 Oct
Summary
- Osbornellus salsus, a leafhopper pest, intercepted at U.S. border
- Pest never made it into the country, thanks to vigilant customs agents
- Leafhopper poses risk to plants, can transmit diseases
On October 25, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Specialists successfully intercepted an invasive leafhopper pest, Osbornellus salsus, at the Port of San Luis, Arizona. The insect was discovered during a routine inspection of a radicchio shipment from Mexico.
After the interception, CBP specialists sent the specimen to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, where it was identified as Osbornellus salsus. This marked the first-ever detection of this species in the United States. In response, the intercepted radicchio shipment was carefully contained and promptly returned to Mexico to prevent any potential risk of an infestation.
Osbornellus salsus belongs to the Cicadellidae family, which includes nearly 100 species of leafhoppers. These insects pose a considerable threat to plants, as they feed on sap and can transmit various plant diseases. The general biology of leafhoppers suggests that they could have caused significant damage had they been allowed to enter the country.
Fortunately, the quick action of CBP agriculture specialists ensured that the U.S. gardening community was spared from the potential havoc that Osbornellus salsus could have caused. "CBP agriculture specialists are highly trained in detecting harmful pests. They do an excellent job in determining the admissibility of agriculture commodities," said Guadalupe Ramirez, Director of Field Operations for the Tucson Field Office.
