Chinese authorities have found black thread scales in a package on an inbound flight, marking the first time China has seized the harmful pest, the country's top quality supervisor said on Monday.

The pests were found on mango seedlings in a passenger's package aboard an inbound flight, according to quality supervisors in south China's Guangdong Province.

Local authorities have destroyed the seedlings in an environmentally friendly way.

The black thread scale is an insect native to Africa and most commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. It has been reported in North and South America, Asia, Oceania and Africa.

The insect feeds on plant fronds, petioles and fruit, causing damage to agricultural production.