Fire Ants Found for First Time in Australia’s Largest River System

Experts have long feared what could happen if fire ants entered the basin’s waterways, given they can form floating rafts with their bodies.

A homestead and roads can be seen near the Darling River in the Murray-Darling basin, Australia's largest catchment river system, located near the far western New South Wales town of Broken Hill in Australia, February 12, 2017. Picture taken February 12, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

Fire ants have been detected for the first time in the Murray Darling Basin, heightening fears for Australia’s largest and most complex river system.

Authorities have confirmed a new detection of the exotic super pest at Oakey, west of Toowoomba.