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☆ Deadly fire ants are forming rafts to cross Australian flood waters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Hafsa Khalil | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Red fire ants are forming rafts to travel on flood waters in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland, with the extreme weather threatening a countrywide spread of the highly invasive species. Two rafts of fire ants are seen floating on water in this screengrab taken from video released by Australia's Invasive Species Council in January 2024. Invasive Species CouncilQueensland has seen brutal weather and heavy flooding in recent weeks. Modeling by the ISC suggests fire ants will spread to “every corner of Australia” if the outbreak in Queensland isn’t curbed. Red ants can spread quickly on their own, but an infestation is typically accelerated by human activity, such as in cargo containers or shipments of potted plants or soil.

Persons: ” Reece Pianta, ” Pianta, ‘, ”, Pianta, Murray, Tara Moriarty, “ Organizations: CNN, Species Council, ISC, Council, invicta, Agriculture Locations: Australian, Queensland, Species Council Queensland, Cairns, Cyclone Jasper, Australia, Victoria, South America, United States, Mexico, Caribbean, China, Europe, Brisbane, New South Wales, NSW, Darling

☆ Solenopsis invicta: Red fire ants, an invasive species with a painful sting, have spread to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The red fire ant, one of the world’s most invasive species, has been found in Europe for the first time, according to a new study. Institut de Biologia EvolutivaResearchers said they had identified 88 red fire ant nests spread over 5 hectaresnear the city of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy. While red fire ants had been discovered in imported products in Spain, Finland andthe Netherlands, a colony had never been confirmed before this study, theauthors said. The study suggested that wind could have transported flying queen ants fromthe northwest of Syracuse, where the commercial port is located. Genetic analysis of the ants revealed that they had most likely spread from the United States or China, where Solenopsis invicta is also an invasive species.

Persons: Evolutiva, “, alarmingly, ”, Mattia Menchetti, ” Menchetti, Paris — Organizations: CNN, invicta, Institut, of Evolutionary, Solenopsis invicta, Paris, United Locations: Europe, South America, United States, Mexico, Caribbean, China, Australia, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, Spain, Finland, Netherlands, Barcelona, Rome, London, United Nations

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