Customs and Border Protection agents found atypical contraband in a shipment of Japanese food and snacks at Los Angeles International Airport last month: live beetles.

There were a total of 37 beetles, worth $1,480 altogether, hidden in their own containers within the food shipment, CBP said in a release Wednesday.

CBP did not specify the species of beetles, but their pictures look similar to rhinoceros beetles, which can be found in Japan.

The beetles are sought by collectors, but importing live insects into the country requires a permit or a letter from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials.

“They may look harmless but in reality, smuggled beetles pose a significant threat to our vital agriculture resources. Beetles can become a serious pest by eating plants, leaves, and roots and by laying eggs on tree bark which damages our forest,” CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles Cheryl Davies said in the release.

The beetles were turned over to USDA officials, who will in turn place them at zoos and other facilities that have permits for live insects. Some of the beetles could also be kept dead and preserved in authorized collections.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.