Residents of Albany, Western Australia, stumbled on an 40‑litre nest of European wasps lodged in a bushland tree, officials said. The structure measured about 16 times the size of a typical nest, roughly the dimensions of a bar fridge. Councillor Lynn MacLaren, who lives nearby, alerted the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development, prompting an emergency response.

Western Australia remains the sole Australian state without an established European wasp population, making eradication a priority. The insects often hitch rides on freight trucks and thrive in the region’s Mediterranean climate. To destroy the nest, authorities felled the host tree, noting that 33 similar nests have been removed in Albany since 2023. Experts warn that unchecked colonies could threaten native pollinators and spread disease.

DPIRD’s European Wasp Project Lead Kris Armstrong urges locals to report any sightings, even uncertain ones, because community tips often locate nests beyond official traps. Planting native vegetation can bolster biodiversity and make habitats less inviting to invaders. The ongoing removal effort underscores the fiscal burden of invasive species, which cost economies billions annually, reinforcing the need for proactive government spending.