DULLES, Va. (DC News Now) -- Customs agents at Dulles International Airport recently made a unique discovery in a shipment of flowers destined for Virginia. In October, agriculture specialists from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted two insect pests, one of which had never been seen in the region and one that hadn't been seen locally in 40 years, according to the agency. Authorities discovered the bugs while inspecting a shipment of 188 protea and chamelaucium cut-stem flowers imported from South Africa on Oct. 7. The flowers were heading to an address in King George County. CODI Alert: Loudoun County deputies looking for missing teenager being considered ‘at-risk’ After finding the bugs, agriculture specialists sent them to an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), who identified them as Caprhiobia sp. (Lygaeidae) and Oxycarenus maculatus (Protea seed bug). Caprhiobia sp. (Lygaeidae) is a plant bug with a "voracious appetite" known to South Africa, according to authorities. The bug causes extensive damage to vegetation, and the USDA entomologist confirmed it has never been reported in the region. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted two rare, destructive insect pests of distinction in a shipment of flowers from South Africa on October 7, 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist recently verified that one insect pest was a first-in-port interception and the other hasn’t been observed at the port in 40 years. (Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ) The second bug, Oxycarenus maculatus (better known as the Protea seed bug), is a crop pest that authorities say poses a "serious threat" to the nation's crop industries, such as corn, grains, wheat, cotton, fruit, tree nuts and vegetables. The entomologist confirmed this insect had not been seen in the area since November 1984. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted two rare, destructive insect pests of distinction in a shipment of flowers from South Africa on October 7, 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist recently verified that one insect pest was a first-in-port interception and the other hasn’t been observed at the port in 40 years. (Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ) “Invasive insect pests pose a severe threat to our agricultural industries and to our nation’s economic security,” said Marc Calixte, CBP’s Area Port director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C. “Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists remain steadfast on our nation’s frontline protecting our natural and agricultural resources from invasive pests and plants, and from animal and plant diseases that could cripple our nation’s economy.” Texas woman arrested after 71 lbs of marijuana found in baggage at Dulles International Airport, authorities say CBP agriculture specialists regularly inspect flower imports to ensure they are free of pests that pose risks to agriculture and the environment. According to the agency, during a typical day last year, specialists across the country seized 3,287 prohibited plant, meat, animal byproducts and soil at U.S. ports of entry. They also caught 231 insect pests.