Red imported fire ant detected in Tasmania from QLD: Biosecurity Tasmania

They can sting humans and animals, decimate entire ecosystems and destroy farm equipment, and one’s been detected in Tasmania. How a red imported fire ant was found Southern Tas.

image shows example of a red imported fire ant

A red imported fire ant (RIFA) has been detected in Tasmania after it arrived in a package from Queensland on Wednesday night.

The single non-reproductive ant was travelling in a package containing plant material, which ended up at an Australia Post parcel centre in the state’s south.

The package was traced by Biosecurity Tasmania, and measures have since been put in place for surveillance and trapping.

The circumstance around the discovery are also being investigated.

“This detection was made as part of business as usual surveillance operations at mail centres across the state,” a Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania said.

“This border interception does not mean there has been an incursion into the state, and Tasmania remains free from RIFA.”

The species of ant can be deadly to plants and animals and is also known to damage electrical and agricultural equipment and damage ecosystems beyond repair.