Moth Not Seen In US Since 1912 Found In Baggage At Detroit Airport

ROMULUS, MI — A species of moth that hasn't been seen in America since the Titanic sank and Tiger Stadium opened was recently discovered in a passenger's luggage at Detroit Metro Airport.

The passenger arrived at the airport in September 2021 from the Philippines, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release Monday. Agriculture specialists found seeds in the passenger's baggage, and the person said the pods were for medicinal tea.

But upon closer inspection, authorities found holes used by insects to exit the pods, and customs agents seized them.

Authorities collected moth larvae and pupae for analysis, and while in quarantine, several pupae hatched, revealing “very flashy” moths with raised patches of black bristles. The moths appeared to resemble members of the Pyralidae family, but the specimens were sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify the insects' genus and species.

A Smithsonian Institution etymologist later confirmed this was a first encounter of this species of moth since it was first described in 1912, the customs agency said. The expert identified the insect as Salma brachyscopalis Hampson, Kris Grogan, a spokesman with Customs and Border Protection, told NBC News. It was also the first time that a larvae or pupae associated with the species has been collected.

"Agriculture specialists play a vital role at our nation’s ports of entry by preventing the introduction of harmful exotic plant pests and foreign animal diseases into the United States,” Port Director Robert Larkin said in a statement. “This discovery is a testament to their important mission of identifying foreign pests and protecting America’s natural resources.”