It is a power grab by militant ants.
Red fire ants have finally made a pilgrimage to Europe and are threatening to take over the continent, according to a new study.
The tiny insects, considered one of the most invasive species in the world, established at least 88 nests on 12 acres near the city of Syracuse in Sicily.
The sightings mark the first time that the insects, known by its scientific name Solenopsis invicta, have been spotted in Europe, researchers announced in a study published Monday in the scientific journal Current Biology.
“S. invicta is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread with alarming rapidity,” lead author Mattia Menchetti of Spain’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology said in a statement.
“Finding this species in Italy was a big surprise, but we knew this day would come.”
According to the study, these tiny insects threaten 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 the shipping of plant products.
These tiny insects are known for the painful stings they inflict when they feel threatened, which can sometimes cause anaphylactic shock.
In addition to being nuisance, fire ants are known to cause significant environmental, health, and economic damage to the lands on which they settle: they can destroy crops and infest electrical equipment, including cars and computers.
Pests have spread around the world due to the maritime trade industry and the shipping of plant products. Current biology
Somehow, Europe was able to avoid the pests until at least 2019, when red ants first bit locals.
“There are currently a large number of exotic ant species establishing themselves in Europe, and the absence of this species was something of a relief,” Menchetti says.
“For decades, scientists have feared it was coming. “We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw it.”
The red imported ant (Solenopsis invicta) is classified as one of the worst invasive alien species 1, affecting ecosystems and agriculture. Current biology
Researchers believe that red fire ants probably came from the United States or China. Current biology
After analyzing wind patterns and even performing DNA tests on Sicilian queen ants, the researchers determined that the pests likely came from the United States or China.
Although there are fewer than 100 known colonies of fire ants in Italy, scientists warn that their populations may spread rapidly across the continent due to large nearby seaports and the threat of climate change.
To counter the invasion, researchers suggest that both government officials and the public decimate any nests they find and move sites to ensure there are no resurgences.
Red fire ants are known to cause significant environmental, health and economic damage to the lands on which they settle. Current biology
“There needs to be more awareness about this problem because it is already in Europe,” says Menchetti. “We need coordinated action and we need it now.”
Invasive species like the fire ant and the hated spotted lanternfly cost labor at least $423 billion each year, according to a United Nations-backed report released last week.
More than 37,000 exotic species are wreaking havoc in foreign lands after being introduced by human activities, threatening animal extinction, food insecurity and environmental disasters.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn