Official Pest Report
Official Pest Reports are provided by National Plant Protection Organizations within the NAPPO region. These Pest Reports are intended to comply with the International Plant Protection Convention's Standard on Pest Reporting, endorsed by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures in March 2002.
Recall of “Rustic Twig Towers” from China
Recall of “Rustic Twig Towers” from China
Country: United States
Title: Recall of “Rustic Twig Towers” from China
Contact:
Not available
Report:
USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) officers found live insect larvae in a product known as “Rustic Twig Tower” imported from China by McCann Bros. of Bridgeport, CT for White Flower Farm. The initial find was made in Wisconsin by a concerned consumer who purchased this product. The insect was identified as Cerambycidae: Lamiinae sp. --a long-horned beetle.
In addition to this infestation, a consumer in Florida also reported finding insect larvae in the same product. This product contained numerous insect larvae that were identified as Cerambycidae: Callidiellum sp., another exotic long-horned beetle.
USDA/APHIS is very concerned about the introduction of these two insect pests into the United States. Cerambycidae: Lamiinae sp. is known to infest hardwood trees. Cerambycidae: Callidiellum sp. is known to infest softwood trees such as sequoia, bald cypress, and other similar species. On June 21, we asked White Flower Farm to initiate a recall of this product within 48 hours.
Upon receiving our recall request White Flower Farm began contacting its customers to inform them of the “Rustic Twig Tower” recall. When contacted by the consumer, our State Plant Health directors will make arrangements to examine and remove the product from the customer’s premises. We anticipate a high degree of cooperation from purchasers of this product. The retailer has offered to provide a credit to customers who surrender their items to USDA. Should such cooperation not be forthcoming, we are prepared to utilize other legal mechanisms to mitigate any potential plant pest risk.
We have contacted the importer, McCann Bros., to ensure that this or similar products which may be infested, have not been distributed elsewhere in the United States.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Ross Nichols, Staff Officer at (301) 734-5394.
Posted Date: July 7, 2004, 9 a.m.