“It was an unlikely fashion accessory but the arrival of a jewel-encrusted beetle at a US border post certainly bugged customs officers.
A woman crossing from Mexico at Brownsville, Texas, declared the live insect decorated with blue and gold as she drove up to enter the state but she did not have the right paperwork.
Pest control measures meant officers promptly confiscated the item worn as a brooch on the traveller’s sweater and sent it for further inspection. The beetle was attached to the woman’s clothing by a gold chain and safety pin.
The story of how the six-legged fashion victim was intercepted came in a press release and video from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the security machine responsible for protecting the country from terrorists and a body more used to trumpeting the seizure of cocaine, marijuana, hidden cash or fugitives from justice.
“CBP officers seized the decorative clothing accessory and sent the live beetle to the Plant Inspection Station at Los Indios International Bridge for further identification. Because the traveller declared the insect no monetary civil penalty was issued,” the official account declared.”
Read more at The Guardian (Thanks Tammy)
I think I remember seeing an episode of CSI New York that mentioned these in one of the plots.
Looks like beetles are the new cockroaches this season…
Well, Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches were, at one point, very popular brooches! Very well-known jewel companies would attach jewels to them and basically sell them as wearable pets with basic care knowledge.
I have five of the buggers and wouldn’t personally want to wear one, as all cockroaches are covered in mites that aid them in living.
I thought it was bad enough that hissing cockroach owners stuck jewels on their pets but to wear one as a brooch is just a huge violation of animal welfare.
And don’t give me that ‘it’s just an insect’ bull, because really, it’s a living thing and should be respected whether people find them insignificant, ugly or creepy.
Poor thing.
ive heard about this before, what posseses people? what if someone bumped into her in the airport and squashed it….?
How horrible…..
LC x
can i get one with ringo or sir paul?
I prefer to see my insects in the garden
I just want to kick people who do such things.
i found this on a msg board…imagine having to clean yer hat afterward! eeuu!
British women in the Victorian era, would keep live bush baby monkeys in their hats. Those poor monkeys, we don’t espouse the coming back of this fashion item. The monkeys were kept outside the house in a cage, and when the woman left the house it would hop up in her hat of flowers and fronds and sit until she arrived back home.
@ Laura. I saw that episode too. I remember thinking that it was a ridiculous idea that must have been made up by the writers but it seems not.
And it’s not just for women, you know! Live orchid mantids are available as men’s buttonholes!
But seriously, this does seem horribly cruel and pointless. We’ve already made mammals and reptiles suffer for the sake of fashion by using their fur and skin; now we’re moving on to insects, are we? The ugliest animal on the planet using the more beautiful ones to try and make itself look better…it almost sounds like jealousy…
This will probably make me wonder the next time I see those hair accessories with dragonflies and butterflies on them
Pathetic creature, this woman. Could apparently not afford proper jewelry, needed to become center for attention this way. I hope someone glues jewelry to her back and head and chain her for the rest of her life. Get into a harem or such I’d suggest.
Poor beetle
:( No living creature should suffer at the expense of one’s vanity…
Wow! That is so wrong on so many levels!!
A perfect baby changing table should meet mother’s needs and should have shelves.