Australia has a dozen invasive species of ants, in fact of the most invasive species in the word we have them all, according to Dr Alan Anderson, chief research scientist at CSIRO. The Electric fire ant (Wasmannia Auropunctata) is considered one of the worlds worst alien species.
The Electric ant is named as such for their painful sting. Originating in South America they have since invaded areas of Africa, North America, several Pacific Islands and Far north Queensland causing problems for residents, pets and native wildlife. In 2006 infestations were discovered in Smithfield, Cairns and have since spread 260 Hectares around Far Northern Queensland, including 106km further south to Bingle Bay.
The cause of the spread in the far north region, particulary to the areas south of Cairns is thought to have occurred in the years following cyclone Larry in 2006. During the rehabilitation where soils, mulch, plants and equipment were moved to the cyclone zones is believed to be the reason behind new ant colony discoveries.
They pose a threat because where electric ants are present they have displaced 95% of native ants. Native ants play an important role in the ecosystem, without them local plants, crops and tress may suffer, says Gary Morton, coordinator for the eradication program at Biosecurity Queensland.
Biosecurity Queensland eradication program is based on three fundamental activities:
1.Surveillance to locate the ants which they are currently trailing a new method using sniffer dogs.
2.Treatment to kill the ants
3. Containment to stop them spreading.
References:
Brennan 2011, Australian Geographic, 16 March 2014 http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2011/05/electric-ants-invade-northern-australia-/
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2013, Queensland Government, 16th March 2014 http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pest-animals-ants/invasive-ants/electric-ants/eradication-program
Mulherin, T, 2010, "Detection of Electric Ants at Bingil Bay', Washington DC, 18 August 2010
Interesting post. It’s good to have an example that is very familiar and very common to us here in Queensland. I’m curious about how they interact with green ants. Do you know if they have an influence on other species of insect, not just other ants?
ReplyDeleteNice post, especially due to the impacts this species is having on the ecosystems in our own backyards. Do they simply displace native ant species, or have continuing effects past the initial displacement?
ReplyDeleteI was reading that they are very aggressive toward other ant species, this being the reason for the native ant displacement in some regions. Because they compete with other native ant species this then impacts native plants, allowing weeds to take hold. They've also been known to have caused declines in vertebrates and small vertebrates and in some places have caused blindness in domestic pets!
ReplyDeleteNice post... During all my life I saw these ants and I never knew the name far less that this species is a problem to native species around the world.
ReplyDelete