<
https://theconversation.com/is-australias-scorched-earth-baiting-program-actually-paving-the-way-for-fire-ant-invasion-276980>
"Right now, Australia is undertaking the world’s largest removal of invasive
ants. The goal: eradicate fire ants (
Solenopsis invicta).
These aggressive South American ants are named for the burning sensation of
their sting. They pose risks to many native species – and to human health.
Fire ants have made it to Australia nine times, arriving in cargo ships. Eight
times, authorities were able to stamp them out early. But an infestation
detected in Brisbane suburb in 2001 has now spread across more than a million
hectares of South East Queensland.
Authorities have used broadcast baiting to tackle fire ants, releasing
pesticides over massive stretches of land since 2001. This approach works for
small outbreaks. But my recent research suggests it may actually be making it
easier for fire ants to spread.
When large areas are baited, the result is an ecological vacuum. Competitor
species are wiped out and hardy fire ant survivors can press forward.
Fire ants are a “weedy” species. They love environments heavily modified by
human behaviour, such as roadsides, industrial areas and paddocks. When baits
are laid on the edge of their infestation, competitors and predators are also
decimated – and advancing fire ants find it much easier to survive."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
