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The Importance of Keeping New Zealand Free of Tramp Ants Introduction Potential Human Health Risk

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PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENT The importance of keeping New Zealand free of tramp ants Introduction potential human health risk. It was found Tramp ants are a group of invasive ant to be the most prevalent ant in hospitals species that have established themselves in Brazil, acting as a vector for several globally through trade and commerce. pathogens: 14 types of bacteria were MPI’s National Invasive Ant Surveillance discovered on T. melanocephalum worker (NIAS) programme has consistently ants in hospitals. Most disturbingly, these intercepted several destructive species of included some antibiotic-resistant strains tramp ants at the border every year since (Wetterer 2009). its inception in 2003. Tramp ants enter Ghost ants have been intercepted at the New Zealand through various routes, New Zealand border or detected through most commonly sea containers, soil, the NIAS programme in 11 of the past Figure 3: Brown crazy ant (Paratrechina plants, timber, machinery and vehicles. 17 years, including in 2020 at Port of longicornis) It is extremely important that these Timaru (Peacock et al. 2020, Craddock & Paratrechina longicornis (Berry 2017), ants be prevented from establishing in Stanners 2020). brown crazy ant (Figure 3) gets its New Zealand as they can have significant common name from its rapid, seemingly impacts on natural habitats, the economy erratic movements. Brown crazy ant is a and even human health. ubiquitous agricultural and household pest throughout much of the tropics and Major species posing a subtropics in both hemispheres and is threat to New Zealand arguably the most broadly dispersed of The following three tramp ant species all ant species (Wetterer 2009). highlight the damage that could be P. longicornis can be a significant caused if they were allowed to establish in agricultural pest, enhancing populations New Zealand. They are the species most of phloem-feeding bugs (Hemiptera) commonly intercepted here by NIAS. such as mealybugs, scale insects and aphids (Wetterer 2009). During summer, Figure 2: Singapore Ant (Trichomyrmex brown crazy ants feed on high-protein destructor) foods, and during spring and autumn Trichomyrmex destructor, Singapore they consume honeydew. They share ant (Figure 2) is an invasive ant a symbiotic relationship with bugs, as species that becomes established and some bugs provide honeydew and in dominant in new habitats owing to its return the ants provide protection from aggression toward other ant species, predators and parasites (Koch et al. efficient recruitment and large colony 2011). Bugs cause damage by sapping size (CABI 2020). It is present in, or has plants of nutrients and vectoring diseases Figure 1: Ghost ant (Tapinoma been reported from, many countries and including plant viruses and fungal melanocephalum) (Animal Spot, 2020) islands in Asia, Africa, the West Indies, pathogens (Wetterer 2009). North, Central and South America Since the NIAS programme began, and Europe (Wetterer 2009) as well as Tapinoma melanocephalum, ghost P. longicornis has been intercepted every Australia and some Pacific Islands. ant (Figure 1) is a worldwide indoor year during the annual survey period. and outdoor pest, capable of living Since 2003 there have been 13 detections While environmental effects of tramp anywhere that humans live. Ghost ants of Singapore ant in the NIAS programme. ants can be significant, most species are invasive and have one of the widest It is imperative that the Singapore ant be have multi-sectoral impacts. This is best distributions known for any ant species kept out of New Zealand as it is known illustrated by the red imported fire ant (Wetterer 2009). They thrive in disturbed to cause extensive economic damage in (Solenopsis invicta), which has a range of environments and spread through human urban environments by gnawing holes impacts in different sectors and has been commerce, so as humans continue to in fabric and rubber goods, removing predicted to cost Australia $8.9 billion disturb natural habitats, travel and ship rubber insulation from electric and over 30 years (Commonwealth of goods widely, ghost ants continue their phone lines and damaging polyethylene Australia, 2006). Thus, preventing global spread. The name ghost ant refers cable. A number of reports of house and post-border establishment of tramp to the distinctive pale legs and abdomen car fires have been attributed to the ant ants is an important part of protecting that blend into the background, making (Harris et al. 2005). the dark brown head and thorax look the New Zealand horticultural industry, as though they are hovering. The ghost which was valued at $9.2 billion in 2018. ant can be a serious pest, even posing a Surveillance 47 (4) 2020 35 References Mathew Archer Animal Spot (2020). Ghost Ant. Retrieved from: NIAS Programme Co-ordinator https://www.animalspot.net/ghost-ant.html AsureQuality Ltd Berry Z (2017). Crazy Ant. Retrieved from: [email protected] https://bugguide.net/node/view/1412367 CABI (2020). Monomorium destructor. In: Nicole McConnell Invasive species compendium. Wallingford, UK: Operations Manager CAB International. www.cabi.org/isc. AsureQuality Ltd Commonwealth of Australia (2006). Background [email protected] document for the threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts of tramp ants on biodiversity Amira Mikhail in Australia and its territories. Department of the Compliance Manager Environment and Heritage, Canberra. AsureQuality Ltd Craddock P, Stanners W (2020). National [email protected] invasive ant surveillance programme. Internal Annual Report. Ministry for Primary Industries, 46 pp. Harris R, Abbott K, Barton K, Berry J, Don W, Gunawardana D, Lester P, Rees J, Stanley M, Sutherland A, Toft R (2005). Invasive ant pest risk assessment project for Biosecurity New Zealand. Series of unpublished Landcare Research contract reports to Biosecurity New Zealand. BAH/35/2004-1. http://www. landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/ invertebrates/Ants/ant_pest_risk.asp Koch H, Corcoran C, Jonker M (2011). Honeydew collecting in Malagasy stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) and observations on competition with invasive ants. African Entomology 19(1), 36–41. doi:10.4001/003.019.0111, Peacock L, Stanners W, Craddock P, McConnell N (2020). National invasive ant surveillance programme annual report. Surveillance 47(3), 96–97. Wetterer, J (2008). Worldwide spread of the longhorn crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ebook. 1st ed. Vienna: Myrmecological News. http://www. tsusinvasives.org/dotAsset/d3fce2f4-cc55-4966- b157-fcdc7ae60866.pdf. Wetterer JK (2009). Worldwide spread of the destroyer ant, Monomorium destructor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 12, 97–108. https:// www.myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index. php?option=com_content&view=category&id=33 5&Itemid=356 Wetterer JK (2009). Worldwide spread of the ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 12, 23–33. https://www. myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index. php?option=com_content&view=category&id=34 9&Itemid=356 36 Surveillance 47 (4) 2020.
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