“We knew this day would come.” One of the world’s most invasive species has arrived in Europe

These insects can be aggressive when disturbed and have a painful sting, which results in skin irritation and can cause allergic reactions. They can also damage crops and local ecosystems

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.

The ant and its scientific name Solenopsis invictais originally from South America, but has spread throughout most of the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, China, and Australia over the past century.

These insects can be aggressive when disturbed and have a painful sting, which results in skin irritation and can cause allergic reactions. The ant can also damage crops and local ecosystems.

The researchers said they identified 88 ant nests of this type spread over an area of ​​five hectares near the city of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy.

“a s. Undefeated It is one of the worst invasive species. It can spread with alarming speed,” described Mattia Menschetti, a researcher at the centre Institute of Evolutionary Biology Spain in a statement.

“Finding this species in Italy was a big surprise, but we knew this day would come,” Menchitti said.

Although red fire ants have been detected in imported products in Spain, Finland and the Netherlands, the presence of a colony had not been confirmed before this study, the authors say.

The colonies were found in a suburb of Syracuse. It is not known how and when the red fire ants got there. The researchers believe the insects must have arrived at a transit point with a lot of human activity, such as a city port. Local residents told scientists that ant bites have increased since 2019.

The study suggested that the winds may have transported the flying queen ant from the northwest of the city of Syracuse, where the commercial port is located.

Genetic analysis of the ants revealed that they likely spread from the United States or China, where they are widespread Solenopsis invicta It is also an invasive species. Researchers warn that the ants could soon spread across Europe, as they have
Seven percent of the continent – including large urban areas such as Barcelona, ​​Rome, London and Paris – has a climate suitable for the species, according to a model developed by the study authors.

The study was published on Monday in the scientific journal Current biology.

Invasive species cost the world more than 390 billion euros annually, causing the extinction of plants and animals, threatening food security, and exacerbating environmental disasters around the world, according to a new report. United Nations report Released last week.