LEWISTON, N.Y. — Live larvae of a highly destructive beetle have been found in a U.S.-bound shipment of rain ponchos from China.

Customs and Border Protection officials say agriculture specialists discovered the khapra beetle larvae while inspecting a truck entering the United States from Canada across the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge north of Buffalo last week.

They say three live larvae where found in an ocean container.

The shipment was sealed up and sent back to Canada.

Authorities say the khapra beetle is one of the world’s most destructive pests of grains, cereals and stored foods. It contaminates grain while feeding on it, which can then sicken people.

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