Invasive insect spotted in 4-H entry at Kansas State Fair

HUTCHINSTON, Kan. (AP) – Kansas State Fair officials judging the 4-H entomology entries last week discovered an invasive insect that prompted quarantines elsewhere.

Fair Board member Gregg Hadley said the student who caught the bug didn’t know it had prompted quarantines in at least 45 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to try to stop its spread.

Hadley, who is Director for Extension at Kansas State’s Research and Extension said it’s not clear how the invasive bug make it to Kansas but it may have hitched a ride on a camper.

Federal officials are expected to try and learn how the insect reached Kansas.