It’s a milit-ant takeover.
Red fire ants have finally made their pilgrimage to Europe – and are threatening to take over the continent, according to a new study.
The tiny insects – considered one of the world’s most invasive species – set up at least 88 nests on 12 acres near the Sicilian city of Syracuse.
The sighting marks the first time the bug, known by its scientific name Solenopsis invicta, has been seen in Europe, researchers announced in a study published Monday in the science journal Current Biology.
“Q. invicta is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread quickly,” said lead author Mattia Menchetti of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Spain, in a statement.
“Finding this species in Italy was a big surprise, but we knew the day would come.”
According to the study, the tiny insect threatens to take over the European continent.andersboman
Fire ants are native to South America, but have spread throughout the world thanks to the maritime trade industry and by shipping plant products.
The little bugs are known for their painful stings when they feel threatened, which can sometimes cause anaphylactic shock.
Besides being annoying, fire ants are known to cause huge environmental, health and economic damage to the land they occupy — they can destroy crops and cripple electrical equipment including cars and computers.
The pest has spread worldwide due to the maritime trade industry and shipping plant products. Current Biology
Somehow, Europe was able to contain the pest until at least 2019, when local residents were first stung by fire ants.
“There are a large number of alien ant species that currently exist in Europe, and the absence of these species is quite a relief,” Menchetti said.
“For decades, scientists have feared that it was coming. We couldn’t believe it when we saw it.”
The Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is classified as one of the worst invasive alien species 1 — affecting ecosystems as well as agriculture. Current Biology
Researchers believe the Red fire ant likely originated in the US or China.Curremnt Biology
After analyzing wind patterns and even running DNA tests on Sicilian ant queens, the researchers determined the pest likely came from the US or China.
Although there are fewer than 100 known colonies of fire ants in Italy, scientists warn that their populations could spread quickly through the continent because of the large nearby seaport and the threat of climate change.
To combat the invasion, the researchers suggest that both government officials and the public destroy any nests they find and mobilize the sites to ensure there are no resurgences.
Red fire ants are known to cause major environmental, health and economic damage to the land they occupy. Current Biology
“There needs to be more awareness of this problem because it already exists in Europe,” Menchetti said. “We need coordinated action, and we need it now.”
Invasive species such as fire ants and the hated spotted lantern fly cost at least $423 billion annually, according to a United Nations-backed report released last week.
More than 37,000 alien species wreak havoc on foreign lands after being introduced by human activity, threatening animal extinction, food insecurity and environmental disaster.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
