The geographic origin of an intercepted biosecurity pest beetle assigned using hydrogen stable isotopes

Abstract

Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a forest pest that does not occur in Australia. In February 2010, the container ship Tatiana Schulte, en route from New Zealand, was refused permission to enter Australia following the discovery of numerous A. ferus aboard. The place where the infestation occurred was unknown, representing an uncontrolled biosecurity-risk pathway. Hydrogen isotope analysis of the beetles' wings showed that the infestation most likely originated from Auckland, New Zealand.