Florida is a sentinel state for the introduction of exotic insect pests. This is due at least in part to the fact that we have 19 maritime ports and international airports. We record an average of one new insect per month. Insects in the suborder Sternorrhyncha comprise a high proportion of our newly established insects. These species almost certainly arrive on living plants. Most exotic pests come to North America as a result of human activity. Pests may arrive as a result of travel, trade, smuggling, international mail, or deliberate introduction. Tourists may bring wood products infested with borers, infested fruit, or infested plant materials. People may receive infested food products from foreign sources through international mail. The increase in international trade has correspondingly increased the likelihood that pest insect species will arrive in North America. Some pests are incidental hitchhikers on products such as ceramic tiles, while others infest the packing materials or the product itself. Importation of plant materials, including cut flowers and actual living plants by plant distributors, botanical collectors, landscapers and others probably has been a major source of insect pest species. Smuggling (illegal trade) probably has been a source of exotic pests. People may smuggle foreign fruits and vegetables or other plant-related commodities. Deliberate introductions of insect pests probably have been few in number.