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Fire Ants

All articles tagged with #fire ants

science1 month ago•7 min saved

Texas Fire Ants: From Invasion to Practical Control

The piece traces the red imported fire ant’s westward invasion from Mobile in the 1930s to Texas-wide presence, examines how scientists at UT’s Brackenridge Field Laboratory introduced natural predators (phorid flies) to dampen populations, and outlines current management approaches (bait products, boiling-water mound treatment) since eradication is unlikely. It also notes that stings can be painful and long-lasting, but fire ants play a minor role in soil aeration and the food chain.

via KUT|

#fire-ants #invasive-species #pest-control

technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Fire Ants Invade PCs, Devouring Thermal Paste and Raising System Temps"

Fire Ants have invaded a PC, causing the system temperatures to rise by eating the graphics card's thermal pads and paste. The owner used a hairdryer to blast the ants out and spread remaining paste across the GPU, but the temperatures are now up by 20 degrees, with a new army of ants appearing inside the graphics card. This isn't the first instance of bugs destroying PCs, as a previous case of Crazy Ants causing havoc inside a rig was shared on Reddit in 2021.

via TechSpot|

#fire-ants #graphics-card #pc

nature2 years ago•2 min saved

"Fire Ants' Life-Saving Raft Inspires Transforming Rubber Technique"

Thousands of fire ants in Texas formed a life-saving raft by interlocking their limbs and mandibles to save their colony and queen from drowning in a swimming pool. The phenomenon, captured in National Geographic's new series "A Real Bug's Life," showcases the ants' collective social behavior and their ability to exploit surface tension to stay afloat. The ants collected trapped air bubbles to remain buoyant and protect their queen, ultimately reaching dry land within a few minutes.

via Livescience.com|

#colony #fire-ants #national-geographic

nature2 years ago•2 min saved

"Fire Ants' Rafting Behavior Inspires Innovative Rubber Technique at Texas A&M"

Thousands of fire ants in Texas formed a life-saving raft by interlocking their limbs and mandibles to protect their queen and colony from drowning in a swimming pool. The incredible footage, part of National Geographic's "A Real Bug's Life" series, showcases the ants' collective behavior and use of surface tension to stay afloat. The ants were discovered by location scouts and filmed with the help of an entomologist, revealing their ability to trap air bubbles and remain buoyant. This remarkable survival strategy allows the ants to withstand significant weight and stay afloat for extended periods.

via Yahoo Life|

#colony #fire-ants #national-geographic

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Fire Ants Form Deadly Rafts to Survive Australian Floods"

Invasive fire ants in Australia have been observed forming "rafts" in floodwaters, allowing them to spread to new territories. The ants, known for their painful stings, have been steadily increasing their foothold in the country and were recently found further south in northern New South Wales. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant in checking their properties for fire ants and to report any sightings. The spread of fire ants is a global problem, and efforts to eradicate them in Australia have been ongoing, with over $440 million committed to eradication efforts since 2017.

via The Washington Post|

#australia #environment #environmental-threat

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery of Europe's Largest Invasive Species Population Raises Concerns"

Researchers have discovered the first extensive mature population of fire ants, considered one of the worst invasive alien species, in Europe on the island of Sicily, Italy. The ants have been present since 2019 and are expected to expand further due to climate warming. Fire ants negatively impact ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated efforts for early detection and action are crucial in managing this new threat, as invasive species cost society billions of dollars annually. While New Zealand has successfully eradicated fire ants, immediate action is needed in Italy and the rest of Europe to prevent further damage.

via Yahoo News|

#climate-change #environment #europe