Researchers from National Taiwan University have established that numerous ant species have learned to travel long distances via human transportation. This means invasive insects—those entering new environments from outside—can quickly take over fresh territories. The findings were presented in the scientific outlet Ecological Entomology.
The researchers emphasize that the hitchhiking behavior involves entire ant colonies, not just individual ants accidentally entering a vehicle. Colony-wide movements demonstrate coordinated strategies rather than sporadic incidents.
Observations spanned from 2017 to 2023, during which nine ant species were documented to travel by car. Of these, seven species are regarded as invasive in the regions where they are found, highlighting the potential for rapid ecological disruption when transportation links are involved.
The study analyzed factors such as seasonality, weather conditions, vehicle type, geographic location, duration of stay, and colony size to understand the patterns that enable hitchhiking ants to establish new colonies successfully.
Data indicate that successful journeys depend on three key capabilities: the ants must be able to climb into a vehicle, endure the heat inside the car, and seek shelter once they reach a new environment where a colony can be formed.
Authors caution that the use of transport networks will likely accelerate the spread of some of the most harmful ant species to previously uncolonized regions, underscoring the need for monitoring and management strategies along travel corridors.
Earlier research also warned about the rising risk of global termite pest incursions, emphasizing that moving pests with human activity is a shared challenge across multiple insect groups.