Smuggled stag beetles make bolt for the blue

The capture of pet Taiwanese stag beetles in Pakuranga has authorities asking residents to report sightings of the giant black flying insects with huge jaws.

The insects, which grow to 4.5cm long, are commonly kept as pets in Asia. It seems that some have been illegally imported into New Zealand.

Three were captured - two in the jaws of a family cat - in Pakuranga and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is anxious to find out if any more of the beetles are on the loose.

They are thought to be active between November and April.

The beetles are not thought to pose a risk to vegetation but could endanger native stag beetles if they become established.

New Zealand has about 30 species of native stag beetles, ranging from less than 1cm to about 3cm long.

About half of the native beetles are flightless.

No female Taiwanese stag beetles have been found, indicating there are no populations surviving in the wild. The females are smaller, less attractive as pets and said to be more likely to bite than males.

The larvae take one to two years to develop into adults which live for up to three years. The beetle feeds on sap and dead or decaying wood and is more active at night. It hides by day.

Mark Ross, the forest pest surveillance and response national adviser, said the insects were probably pets because they had not been found near a port or container yards.

People caught smuggling the insects into New Zealand would be fined, he said.

The ministry will post information to Pakuranga residents next month.

Anybody who sees the beetles should contact the 0800 666 122 biosecurity hotline.

Surveillance and a public education programme for a more destructive pest, the red imported fire ant, will also continue over the summer.

The ant, a native of South America, is on the list of the top 10 pests in the world. It causes economic and environmental damage. A nest of mature ants was discovered in March at Auckland International Airport.

No nests have been found since the airport discovery but if any have spread they should be active over summer.

Unlike ants already in New Zealand, red imported fire ants build mounds particularly after wet weather.

The ants are also extremely aggressive if their nests are disturbed and they will swarm and sting.

A $A123 million ($151 million) campaign against the ant has begun in Brisbane.

Anybody who thinks they have seen the ant should call 0800 809 966.