Biosecurity Queensland Asian honeybee surveillance manager Wim De Jong said there were concerns the exotic pest had hitched a ride all the way from Cairns.

"This expanded surveillance effort is an opportunity to roll out a new honeybee trap," he said.

"This week surveillance teams are visiting communities, port areas, major transport corridors and heavy transport premises between Cairns and Townsville searching for any signs of the pest bee.

"They are working closely with Queensland Rail to keep a close watch on trains, stations and depots."

Mr De Jong said the recent detection of a nest of Asian honeybees in Innisfail was possibly the result of the bees using transport corridors along the coast.

"So far our intensive surveillance in the Innisfail area has not found any further nests or swarms," Mr De Jong said.

"We hope this is good news. But if bees have travelled to Innisfail via transportation, then it is possible they have gone even further afield.

"The surveillance is a precautionary measure to monitor any possible spread from Cairns.

"A team of four will operate weekly between Cairns and Townsville until we are satisfied that rail and road transport are not potential carriers."

Mr De Jong's trap consists of a tray containing a sticky sugar-based attractant with a cap sheltering the lure from water.

"Once a bee is caught in the trap, they cannot escape, allow-ing for prompt identification," Mr De Jong said.

Asian honeybees are slightly smaller than the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) and its abdomen has more distinctive brown and yellow stripes.

They tend to fly more erratically than the European honey-bee.

Asian honeybees have been targeted for eradication since they were first detected in Cairns in 2007.

l If you suspect you have seen Asian honeybees between Cairns and Townsville, contact Biosecurity Queensland 13 25 23.