Crazy Ant and Asian Needle Ant detected in Italy
Several species of alien ants have been introduced in Europe during the last few years, some of particular concern, including the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta in Italy (read "A six legs invasion") and the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata in Cyprus, France and Spain.
Italy hosts more than 20 alien ant species.
In a recent scientific publication the presence of two new alien ant species, the crazy ant Nylanderia vividula and a population of the Asian needle ant Brachyponera chinensis in northern Italy is reported.
Both species are now exclusively known from urban areas and gardens in Italy, which is where most alien ants in southern Europe are confined. In fact, botanical gardens, are often hotspots of alien soil invertebrates.
The new sighting of Brachyponera in Italy was first reported on the platform iNaturalist.org, after which specimens were collected for identification at species level.
However, the first discovery of N. vividula in the country and the appearance of B. chinensis at a very distant site from its previously known distribution (Naples 2022) highlights how alien ants are often able to spread undetected and how casual sampling remains the prevailing mechanism through which they are eventually discovered.
It is important to prevent the spreading of these ants to avoid the possible negative effects on other species and on human health.
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