- The red fire ants is most invasive species on the earth and fifth most expensive to combat.
- According to a recent study, it is found that these red fire ants have reached Europe.
About:-
- The scientific name of the ants is Solenopsis Invicta.
- They are native to South America and their sting is 'painful and irritating', can also cause allergic reactions.
- These are considered highly destructive because they form "super colonies" rapidly, prey on various organisms including invertebrates, vertebrates, plants and competes with native species for food.
- It can also damage crops and can infest electrical equipment, leading to economic and ecological harm.
- These ants have spread to the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, China, Taiwan and Australia in less than a century.
- The US has suffered a loss of $ 5 billion due to the presence of these ants and Australia has spent millions of dollars on its eradication, without much success.
Recent Findings:-
- Researchers have identified 88 red fire ant nests in Sicily, Italy and suspect that they may have come from China or the US.
- However, it the reason of their reach to Italy is not clear, scientists believe that some flying queens would have arrived from northwest, where the port of Syracuse is located.
- The UK has been called on to ban soil imports, as invasive ant species can easily spread through imported soil.
- The colonization potential of the ants in Europe is alarming and Climate Change can further escalate it.
- With the global heating, it could spread to approx. 7% of Europe, including major cities like London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona.
- The Mediterranean climate is best suitable for these ants, hence they can further facilitate their spread.
Source - Economic Times