U.S. Customs and Border Protection say a “potentially destructive” bark beetle species found in wood from Ivory Coast was intercepted at Detroit’s airport.

The discovery was made in February. However, officials only announced the news on Thursday.

The roughly 3-millimetre insect was found within partially-dry bark brought for medicinal purposes during a routine inspection of a passenger flight to Texas. The passenger was released without incident.

In mid-October, the insect was further identified as a Ctonoxlyon Spinifer Egger.

A piece of bark the beetle was found in at Detroit's airport, according to U.S. border officials. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Border officials say, according to their records, this is the first time the insect has been seized at a U.S. port of entry.

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