The first eradication of an exotic ant species from the entirety of Australia: Pheidole fervens.

In July 2019 an established infestation of Pheidole fervens was detected in Australia for the first time. An eradication program was conducted, and by November 2022 the ant had not been detected for 31 months so it was declared eradicated. This is the first time an exotic ant species has been eradicated from within Australia without other infestations of the same species being found in the meantime. Much of the achievement can be attributed to early detection of the incursion by Australia's National Border Surveillance program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]