[NHCOLL-L:932] Re: Starch pellets

[Richard Rosenblatt]

>THe account below is disturbing, to say the least. How many beetle and
>moth species are likely to be introduced as this packing material becomes
>more common? I hope that Mr. Rabeler sterilized the pellets before
>"tossing" them. Perhaps customs should prohibit the importation of edible
>packing materials. Certainly we should not use them.






I suspect that many of you already are aware of the potential "food value"
>of starch packing pellets, but I thought I would relate a recent incident at
>MICH as a reminder.
>
>About two weeks ago MICH received a parcel continaing specimens that we had
>loaned to a Brazilian herbarium.  When we opened the box, much of the space
>above the specimens was filled with turquoise-blue packing pellets.  The
>color attracted our attention but, upon closer inspection, so did the small,
>brown beetles that were crawling on them!  From the small blue fragments on
>top of the bundle of specimens, it was evident to me that some of the
>peanuts had been serving as food.
>
>The "good news" is that the specimens had been sent air mail, arrived
>quickly, and were not damaged.   We will be tossing any such pellets that
>arrive at MICH just in case......
>
>Rich Rabeler,
>Collections Manager, Vascular Plants
>University of Michigan Herbarium


***************
Richard Rosenblatt                             Phone (858) 534-2199
Scripps Institution of Oceanography 0208
9500 Gilman Drive                              FAX   (858) 534-5306
La Jolla CA 92093-0208
                                               e-mail rrosenblatt at ucsd.edu