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Fire
Ants
It is suspected that ant colonies cause disrutpion within the offshore
island natural communities. The fire ant or Solenopsis geminata
is one species thought to not only alter arthropod and plant communities
but also prey on larger animals such as the nesting seabirds. The
fire ants are example of invasive species that are in need of management
in order for restoration to occur . Visitors to the islands can
easily bring these tiny insects during an access and not realize
that it takes just a few to start a colony. |
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ants can eat something twice their size. |
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Fire ants escaped from
South America on cargo ships headed towards the United States in
the 1930’s. They were blown across almost every state and
when the wind stopped, they settled and started new colonies. Scientists
are not sure when fire ants arrived on the shores of the Hawaiian
Islands but suspect they probably aslo arrived in the islands by
boat.
A fire ant queen needs only six working ants to build a colony and
within 3 months can expand to include 300 workers. The nests have
no obvious entry and colonies often have satellite stations that
distance themselves from the queen to ensure her protection. Some
of the species have wings who leave the colony for reproductive
flights which insures the spread and survival of the species.
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Some
species
of fire
ants can fly which insures the spread and survival of the species! |
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Fire
ants got their name from the venom that induces a painful, fiery sensation.
The ants become very agressive when disturbed! They grip the skin
with its jaws and stings its victim several times in a circular pattern.
Reaction to the sting is similar to that of a bee sting. Studies are
are being conducted on the offshore islands to see how they impact
the bird nesting colonies as fire ants are known to attack young unprotected
animals. |
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