محاولات لوقف توغل نمل النار السام في أستراليا infographic
Graphic shows Australian fire ant infestations since 2001.
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محاولات لوقف توغل نمل النار السام في أستراليا

By Duncan Mil

January 17, 2024 - يقوم نمل النار، الذي يمكن للسعته أن تقتل البشر والحيوانات الأليفة والماشية، بتشكيل طوافات في أستراليا بعد أن حاصرته مياه الفيضانات في كوينزلاند، مما يزيد من خطر التوغل في شمال نيو ساوث ويلز.

Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) first turned up in Australia in 2001 at the northern port of Brisbane.

It’s believed they entered the country on a cargo ship from a South American country, possibly Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay or Argentina, where the ants are native.

Fire ants were accidentally introduced into Alabama in the U.S. in the 1930s and spread across much of the country. They cost the U.S. agriculture industry US$7 billion a year and have killed more than 80 people.

Nigel Andrew, professor of entomology at Southern Cross University, says large fire ant colonies can have up to 400,000 workers, which feed on insects, animals and plants and can destroy native habitats.

The only way to eliminate fire ants is to kill the queen ant or render her infertile with chemicals.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 17/01/2024; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Ben Raines/Press-Register
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