Eradication of two incursions of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Of the five known incursions of the highly invasive Red Imported Fire Ant in Australia, two are regarded to have been eradicated. As treatment efforts continue, and the programme evolves and new tools become available, eradication is still considered to be feasible for the remaining Red Imported Fire Ant populations with long‐term commitment and support.

Red Imported Fire Ant in Australia: What if we lose the war?

“…Red Imported Fire Ant is a proven hitchhiker and not dependent on transport in identifiable high-risk products. For example, it was detected post-quarantine in a crate of new mining machinery from the USA in Roma, Queensland in 2009 (destined for Western Australia) (Wylie et al 2016) and in a container of bar fridges from China in 2013 in rural Victoria. The importance of a centralised, coordinated approach to eradication and containment cannot be overstated.…”

“…The environmental impacts of Red Imported Fire Ant in the USA are well documented, affecting wildlife and reducing biodiversity of native plants and animals (Allen et al 2004). Based on the US experience, Moloney and Vanderwoude (2002) outlined some of the potential impacts in Australia if the pest was to become widely established and these are summarised in Wylie et al (2016). Lach and Barker (2013) conducted an expanded assessment of the risks in the south-east Queensland bioregion, assessing a total of 123 species comprising 47 birds, 16 mammals, 32 reptiles, 19 amphibians, four freshwater fishes and five invertebrates.…”

“…; Wylie et al . ). In addition, eradication of two more recent incursions at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland in 2013 and Port Botany in New South Wales in 2014 have now been successfully completed.…”

“…The programme has had some notable successes with the declared eradication of a genetically distinct population at the Port of Brisbane (8300 ha) in 2012 and another at Yarwun (71 ha) in central Queensland in 2010. These eradications, respectively, are the largest and third largest recorded for any ant species worldwide (Hoffmann et al 2016;Wylie et al 2016). In addition, eradication of two more recent incursions at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland in 2013 and Port Botany in New South Wales in 2014 have now been successfully completed.…”

Invasive ants influence native lizard populations

“…It may be important for the conservation of reptile biodiversity to consider management for RIFAs, particularly in areas with rare species with similar life history characteristics as fence lizards. Specifically, areas with relatively new introductions of RIFAs should plan and implement a long-term management strategy immediately to reduce negative impacts of RIFAs on native reptiles (e.g., Australia; Wylie et al 2016). However, the effects of management strategies (e.g., broadcast application of insecticide) should be further studied, particularly relative to species that are ant specialists, to assure that the benefits of management (e.g., increased recruitment) for RIFAs exceed the potential costs (e.g., decreased survival), if they do exist.…”