Authorities have found a large and complex invasion of yellow crazy ants over more than 80 hectares in far north Queensland.
Biosecurity Queensland officers made the discovery during a routine yard check in the Goldsborough Valley south of Cairns.
They alerted the Wet Tropics Management Authority, which said the insects had the potential to wreak havoc in the World Heritage Area.
The authority said survey results indicated a cluster of infestations over about 85ha and eradication treatment would begin soon.
"This is a large and complex invasion and we will determine the full extent in the coming weeks," authority executive director Scott Buchanan said.
Yellow crazy ants are considered in the world's top 100 invasive species and can have super colonies with multiple queens.
They spread in a "budding" system when the queen leaves a colony accompanied by workers and sets off across terrain or down a creek to re-establish.
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Yellow crazy ants are known to compete with invertebrates and can decimate bird and insect life.
Efforts have seen their population dwindle in far north Queensland over the past decade but authorities believe the new area can cause significant damage if left untreated.
Mr Buchanan was confident the authority and the community would prevail in the fight against this latest threat.
Australian Associated Press
