Two types of giant ants - the Myrmecia pyriformis on the right and an Iridomyrmex purpureus on the left - in comparison to a one-yuan coin. Photo: screenshot from Sina Weibo account of Xinhua News Agency

Chinese customs has seized a dozen giant ants and 10 ant eggs found in a package mailed from Australia that were supposed to be exotic pets but have been determined to be an invasive species that could have threatened the country's ecological balance. The ants, found alive in test tubes, are native only to Australia, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Customs official said the giant ants could spread and spawn very quickly. They would have likely invaded the habitat of local ant colonies, break the ecological balance and threaten people's health.

An investigation revealed that the recipient of the package bought the ants overseas and intended to keep them as an unconventional pet.

China prohibits importing live insects without official approval.

Xinhua