Beetles are found being illegally brought into the country by a passenger through Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. Photo: Screenshot from China's General Administration of Customs

Customs recently seized 439 beetles, considered to be an invasive species, illegally brought into the country by a passenger through Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, the country's General Administration of Customs reported on Wednesday.

During a routine inspection of an incoming flight, customs officers noticed an abnormal image of a passenger's luggage on the X-ray machine, showing objects resembling beetles. 

Upon inspection, the officers found numerous beetles individually wrapped in transparent plastic film inside the passenger's suitcase, with some showing signs of movement.

After being identified by a professional organization, the beetles seized included 11 species such as the Javan wide flat leaf beetle, Atlas Nanyang rhinoceros beetle, Gao Kasas Nanyang rhinoceros beetle, and orange-backed forked horn beetle, totaling 439 beetles. 

Among them, the orange-backed forked horn beetle was the most numerous, with 125 individuals. These beetles have no natural population in China and are considered an invasive species.

Customs reminded the public that it is illegal to introduce foreign species into the country without approval, as per the Biological Safety Law and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementation regulations. Offenders will face legal consequences.

With the rise of the exotic pet market, some enthusiasts are illegally importing exotic pets into the country through various means. However, these exotic pets are often foreign species and can potentially become invasive species if released into the wild, causing ecological disasters.

In another case, the customs at the Hekou port in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province discovered a man attempting to smuggle 163 wild harvest ants into the country by concealing them on his body, the China Daily reported earlier this month.

The ants, identified as the exotic species Barbaric Harvest Ant, are known for their aggressive behavior and ability to consume and store plant seeds, posing a potential threat to China's ecological and biological security.

To combat and prevent the smuggling of exotic pets through mail or concealment, Kunming customs established a special task force to monitor and gather information on popular exotic pets like beetles and ants. By implementing strict control measures and cracking down on illegal activities, customs aim to safeguard the country's biological and ecological security. 

Global Times