Biosecurity officers were responding to a report of a bee swarm at a property at Goondi Bend, when one of them recognised the pest plant miconia across the road from the bee swarm.

Community engagement officer David Green said miconia was an aggressive invader of rainforest areas and creek banks and had been found in both natural areas and gardens in the region. It is a distinctive plant with a large leaf that has a purple underside.

"As a previous field officer on the Biosecurity Queensland tropical weed eradication program as well as a training officer in weed identification, my 'pest radar' is always switched on to pick up anything that looks unusual," Mr Green said

"It's vital that these pests are found and destroyed and residents are urged to report any suspect plants or bee swarms to 13 25 23."

The reported bee swarm turned out to be European honey bees, not the Asian honey bee.

"But we always welcome reports of suspect bees and weeds. We will check out all reports."

* For more information visit the website at www.deedi.qld.gov.au