Ship crawling with exotic beetles seized
Ship crawling with exotic beetles seized
Updated at 10:41 pm on 23 November 2012
New Zealand biosecurity officials have discovered an infestation of plague soldier beetles on a vessel arriving at Port Wellington from Australia this week.
The AAL Brisbane was targeted for full inspection upon arrival by the Ministry for Primary Industries after a recent spate of live beetle finds on vessels arriving from Melbourne.
“The vessel underwent a full inspection. It was found to be literally crawling with hundreds of beetles,” ministry spokesperson Geoff Gwyn said.
The vessel’s operations were halted while the beetles were treated. Biosecurity staff also checked the berth and surrounding area for beetles and port staff have been instructed to keep a look out for the pest.
The ministry is investigating to determine whether there have been any breaches of the Biosecurity Act 1993. If so, charges may be laid.
Plague soldier beetles (Chauliognathus lugubris) may be harmful to native New Zealand insects. They are also a potential carrier of diseases and other pests.
More at http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/121657/ship-crawling-with-exotic-beetles-seized
