Larvae and adult Mediterranean fruit flies have been found for the first time in China in an imported empty box, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China said recently, chinanews.com reported on Tuesday.

According to a statement on its official website, the administration said the staff of the Beilun administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine in Ningbo city, Zhejiang province, found the insect samples in an empty box imported from the United States. Tests identified the sample as the Mediterranean fruit fly, a dangerous pest not before found in China.

The Mediterranean fruit fly originates in West Africa and is known to harm some 400 fruits and vegetables.