Solenopsis invicta, one of the most dangerous invasive species of ants, has reached Europe for the first time. The insects, also known as red fire ants, were discovered by Italian scientists from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Sicily. To work published In the scientific journal Current Biology.
Biologists discovered a total of 88 nests in an area of 4.7 hectares, some of which were home to thousands of worker ants.
Fire ants could spread rapidly across the continent, causing serious environmental, health and economic problems for Italy and other countries, researchers have warned.
“S. invicta is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread alarmingly quickly,” said Mattia Menchetti, lead author of the study.
The model predicts that 7% of the European continent is suitable for fire ants, given current environmental conditions, and that climate change will likely further accelerate their spread and population growth. Experts also found that urban areas are particularly at risk. Moreover, half of the cities in Europe are already vulnerable to invasion.
Red fire ants have potent venom, and the pain from their bites resembles a flame burn. People stung by ants often experience allergic reactions, skin redness, swelling, blisters, nausea and vomiting.
Previous scientists appreciated Global damage from invasive species of flora and fauna is $423 billion annually.