Australia’s biosecurity system is on high alert for alien invaders. Here’s a hit list of eight baddies we believe pose the greatest threat to Australia’s biodiversity.
The two pest ant species have huge impacts on the areas they invade. The fire ants can even kill people. Unfortunately, these ants will be hard to eliminate.
Lizards that do or do not share space with invasive fire ants will react differently to this scenario.
Tracy Langkilde and Travis Robbins
The ways eastern fence lizards have changed in response to red imported fire ants demonstrate how species can adapt to survive the presence of invasive predators.
The European fire ant, Myrmica rubra, is one of the invasive ant species in Ontario. They are known for their painful sting.
(Jon Sanders)
Invasive pest ants cause billions of dollars worth of damage to crops, and threaten some of Australia’s World Heritage rainforests. The federal budget has pledged nearly $30m on wiping them out – but how?