“This is a pest that would have the same impact as a foot and mouth animal disease outbreak in Australia,” said Xavier Martin, president of farm industry group NSW Farmers.
“Governments have to do everything in their power to contain and eradicate this pest, or the damage will be beyond our worst nightmare,” he said.
The larvae were found in the brand Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappy Pants Walker Size 5, the ministry said, which is only sold by Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain. Woolworths said it had removed nappies of that brand in that size from shelves and quarantined them.
The company also said the nappies were supplied by Belgian manufacturer Ontex, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ministry did not say how many larvae were detected in how many nappies. It said anyone who had bought similar nappies should seal them in a bag and call the authorities.
Khapra beetles are native to India but have spread through numerous countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, according to the ministry.
