The tiny bug - officially known a brown marmorated stink bug - makes its way onto ships during winter in the northern hemisphere.

When the ships arrive at Australian ports, the warmer weather sees them spring to life.

A serious pest that could wreak havoc on Australian agriculture, they're a target for biosecurity officers at Port Kembla and other ports between September and April.

While the Department of Agriculture could not supply specific data on the number of ships with stink bugs detected at Port Kembla, the Illawarra port does accept the bugs' favoured ride - cars.

"So far this [financial] year we have had over 80 detections of brown marmorated stink bugs on goods coming to Australia," a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman said.

"Over 50 of those have been in relation to vessels carrying vehicles.

"The department conducts inspections for seasonal pests on board roll-on roll-off vessels to help ensure any exotic pests are detected before goods are discharged in Australia."

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In the previous season there were 312 detections of both live and dead bugs.

A stink-bug detection can cause huge headaches for car dealers and customers.

An infestation means they cannot offload their vehicles and must leave for another port to get fumigated.

This can cause long delays when it comes to the delivery of vehicles to new-car buyers.

Dugong Ace, a ship carrying Hyundai vehicles, was turned away just before Christmas but is yet to return.

"Since leaving Australia, the operator of the vessel has worked with the department to develop a plan to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the vessel and its cargo," the spokeswoman said.

"When the vessel returns to Australia, the department will take steps to verify that the biosecurity risk has been managed before cargo is discharged."

"Emerging risk countries" for stink bugs include Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.