The red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, has a powerful sting, damages crops and can attack electrical equipment, including cars and computers, he said.
Furthermore, the spread of these ants causes a serious decline in local flora and fauna. Barkham explained that ants can quickly form “super colonies” with multiple queens. These colonies feed on invertebrates and larger vertebrates, destroy plants, and displace native insects and herbivores.
Red fire ants have already taken root in Italy and, in the context of global warming, can quickly “take over” all of Europe. The current climatic conditions in London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona are suitable for this ant, said the expert.
The publication also notes that Australian authorities have spent more than £200 million eradicating these types of ants, but have not been able to completely destroy this insect.
