Exotic Stink Bugs found at Gold Coast properties in serious biosecurity breach that could threaten city’s crops

Gold Coast’s fruit and vegetable crops could soon be decimated as as a “serious biosecurity threat” infiltrates the city – even turning up on residents’ properties.

Gold Coast’s fruit and vegetable crops could soon be decimated as an exotic stink bug that breached border control infiltrates the city – even turning up on residents’ properties.

Currumbin woman Camilla Skye told the Bulletin she discovered two of the bio-restricted Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs in her driveway last Friday within the space of 48 hours.

The species – native to China, Japan and Taiwan but arrived into Queensland last December – are considered a serious plant pest, fuelling concerns of a serious biosecurity threat.

Biosecurity Queensland said an importer at Burleigh Heads detected the pest while “unpacking goods from two shipping containers in a consignment of five imported from China.”

Brown marmorated stink bugs have infiltrated the Gold Coast. Picture: supplied

Multiple live, dying and dead stink bugs were found in another two containers. Authorities observed at least one bugs flying off into nearby vegetation.

“The warehouse premises and other goods stored nearby have been treated by a pest controller,” a Biosecurity Queensland spokesman said.

But that’s done little to ease the concerns of residents like Ms Skye who are now finding the critters outside their homes: “I’m worried they’re breeding,” Ms Skye told the Bulletin.

“I was just out in the driveway, (the first bug) landed on the vehicle in front of me as I was opening the door.”

A total 39 traps have been deployed at Burleigh Heads and another 21 traps at Hamilton in Brisbane. A 500-metre surveillance zone has been established around the sites.

Authorities last week issued an urgent alert to members of the public on social media, which Ms Skye credited as the sole reason she was aware of the unwelcome critter.

“This was literally about two hours after I saw the Biosecurity post on Facebook,” she said.

“I asked the kids to grab a container to capture it while I kept an eye on it. Once caught, we compared it with Facebook post and identification on web.”

She spoke with authorities on Friday but is yet to hear anything further.

Brown marmorated stink bugs have infiltrated the Gold Coast. Picture: supplied

Although the bug does not pose a risk to human health, it is a “high priority plant pest” which needs to be kept out of Australia, according to Biosecurity Queensland.

“(The species) is a significant threat to agriculture due to its wide host range and the damage it can do to vegetable crops, fruit, and ornamental trees,” the spokesman said.

“ … known to feed on more than 300 hosts, including agricultural crops such as nuts, grains, berries, cotton, citrus, soybean, nursery stock and some ornamental and weed plant species.”

The egg-laying critter can be found inside homes, vehicles, machinery or sheds, and can grow between 12-17mm long, has a shield-shaped body and alternating light and dark markings.

Anyone who thinks they have seen the bug should try to capture it in a container, kill them with insect spray or by putting them in the freezer, according to Biosecurity Queensland.

Take a photo and report the location to Department of Agriculture and Fisheries by phoning 13 25 23 or report online at www.daf.qld.gov.au.

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Originally published as Exotic Stink Bugs found at Gold Coast properties in serious biosecurity breach that could threaten city’s crops