Welcome to the yellow crazy ant e-news - June 2020
The Wet Tropics Management Authority has been extremely busy with yellow crazy ant eradica on this year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to safely adapt our work prac ces to con nue at full opera onal capacity. We have also capitalised on the rela vely dry wet season to con nue comprehensive surveys and treatments programs.
Having reduced yellow crazy ants to very low numbers across the infesta on for a year or two now, we were reminded of their severe impacts when a large and very ac ve infesta on was discovered recently near Vico Street, Gordonvale. The infesta on extends into the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. We are grateful for the support and coopera on of local residents in repor ng the infesta on and allowing access to field teams for surveys and treatment.
I would like to congratulate our staff on their dedica on and ability to con nue doing a great job under difficult circumstances. In the field, in the office and at home they have maintained morale and communica on to keep the Eradica on Program func oning effec vely.
Unfortunately, community engagement has been limited by COVID-19 restric ons. We will be using this quarterly e-newsle er and social media to help us keep you informed and share informa on with you. Please enjoy the stories below and stay up to date. We cannot succeed without your help and support. I also acknowledge and thank the Queensland and Australian governments for their support of the Eradica on Program through their joint commitment of $18 million over three years to 2022.
I hope that you and your families are staying well and coping with the economic and Our ten stories: social hardships imposed during the (please click on link or scroll down) COVID-19 restric ons. 2 2020 update Please stay safe during these uncertain 4 ID cards for yellow crazy ants mes and be kind to each other. 5 Fury unleashed Sco Buchanan 6 Henleys Hill infestation 7 Vico Street infestation Execu ve Director 8 Capturing the impacts of yellow crazy ants Wet Tropics Management Authority 10 Collaboration with the sugar industry 12 Yellow crazy ant research 13 Invasive species and climate change 14 Working during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 link
Page 1 2020 update
The first five months of this year have been extremely busy for the team and we have chalked up some great results in the Eradica on Program.
In early February the intergovernmental funding agreement was signed off by the Queensland and Australian governments. As part of the funding agreement the Authority developed a three-year strategic plan which recognises a transi on to detec ng and eradica ng yellow crazy ants in very low numbers, while also looking further afield to ensure that there are no new infesta ons. To this end, the Authority is now opera ng its first odour-detec on dog. Fury, a pure-bred labrador, has proven to be a most valuable asset already for detec ng yellow crazy ants in very low numbers. We are planning to have more dogs trained up this year.
Since the beginning of 2020, the total infesta on area in the Wet Tropics grew from about 1750ha to 1929ha. This included the discovery of two new infesta ons at Henleys Hill in Earlville (16.6ha) and Vico Street in Gordonvale (153ha). Both sites were quickly mapped and treatment regimes established. Henleys Hill was treated in early April. Vico Street was treated in late May, along with Swallow Road, Gordonvale and a few other small areas.
The sporadic rains during the wet season allowed plenty of suitable days to conduct surveys. These revealed that yellow crazy ants have become more ac ve, par cularly since Christmas and the coming of the rains, though ant numbers across most known infesta ons remain very low and patchy. Several treatment areas in sugarcane farming areas remain free of yellow crazy ants and will soon move to post- treatment valida on. Other treatment areas have transi oned from broadscale treatment to surveys and spot treatment. Surveys con nue over much of the two larger treatment areas of Bentley Park and Sawmill Pocket.
The map below shows the yellow crazy ant infesta on and the stage of each treatment area as it progresses to eradica on. Dayna Robertson surveys Blackwell Creek Progress to eradica on is never straigh orward and this year we have been reminded of how tenacious yellow crazy ants can be. During this wet season yellow crazy ants re-appeared at a few persistent sites where we had not found them for over a year. This, and the discovery of the Henleys Hill and Vico Street sites, reinforced the need for us to maintain our vigilance and ensure that surveys are completed when seasonal and weather condi ons are suitable for the ants to be out foraging.
Page 2 ID link Page 3 Identification card for yellow crazy ants
The Authority has recently produced an ant iden fica on card to help the general public to recognise yellow crazy ants. The card will be used to educate landholders and residents within and near yellow crazy ant infesta ons, as well as being distributed to the general public, displayed on the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s website and on banners to be displayed at various events.
The card shows the specific characteris cs of yellow crazy ants compared to a range of other na ve ants —such as green tree ants, meat ants, carpenter ants, funnel ants and strobe ants—some of which look very similar to yellow crazy ants. It takes an expert eye, and some mes a microscope, to ensure yellow crazy ants are correctly iden fied, so the card also asks people to collect a sample where possible.
Please ring the Wet Tropics Management Authority on 4241 0525 if you think you have found yellow crazy ants. Collect a sample if possible to help us iden fy the ants.
Jochem van der Reijden shows off the new ID cards
Fury Page 4 Fury unleashed: a new weapon for eradication
Fury and handler, Stuart Biggs
On 31 March a pure-bred Labrador named Fury, and her handler Stuart Biggs, became the first odour- detec on dog team in Queensland to be validated to detect yellow crazy ants. Fury was trained for a year to achieve valida on, including six months in Cairns with Stuart.
The Authority hopes that the use of odour-detec on dogs will be a game-changer which will greatly increase the probability of detec ng any last remaining pockets of yellow crazy ants. We aim to train up three more dogs and another handler this year.
The odour-detec on dog team will work primarily to survey residen al areas and suburban open areas within the infesta on, as well as searching for new infesta ons. The dogs are not as suitable in forest environments where the terrain is more difficult and the dog and handler cannot maintain constant visual contact.
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries organised and paid for the specialist training provided to both Fury, and her handler, Stuart Biggs, by Credible Canines. This training developed the skills, teamwork and close bond that is essen al for successful results on the ground to achieve valida on.
Henleys link Fury indicates for yellow crazy ants
Page 5 Henleys Hill, Earlville — a new infestation
On 21 February 2020, a 16.6ha yellow crazy ant infesta on was found at Henleys Hill, Earlville. The infesta on includes parkland, a dog exercise area, a children’s playground, bushland, water tanks and some neighbouring residences.
The majority of the infesta on area received an ini al treatment with Antoff in early April, with the remaining residen al proper es to be treated at a later date when COVID-19 restric ons are eased.
The Authority has erected signs at the park to reassure local residents that it is s ll safe for people and dogs to use the park but to be aware that yellow crazy ants in large numbers can spray acid when disturbed and pets or small children may be vulnerable.
The infesta on was fortuitously found during a training exercise by Fury, the Authority’s new odour- detec on dog.
Le : Ethan Parker surveys Henleys Hill
Below: The view across the park
Vico link
Page 6 Vico Street, Gordonvale — a new infestation
A large and very ac ve infesta on of yellow crazy ants at Vico Street, Gordonvale was reported by a local resident on 6 April 2020. Judging by its size and density the infesta on has been there for a long me, probably since the Wet Tropics Management Authority established the Eradica on Program in 2013.
The infesta on occupies local bushland near Vico Street and extends 21.4ha into the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area on its western side. Yellow crazy ants have also been found along Blackwell Creek adjacent to Vico Street and south of the Gillies Highway towards the Mulgrave River. In late May the Authority completed a delimita on of the 153ha treatment area.
A first aerial treatment was completed on 28 May, followed by on-ground treatment at residences and along the creeks. A second aerial treatment is planned during the early dry season while the ants are s ll ac vely foraging. The Vico Street treatment area The vigilance of a Vico Street landholder allowed the Authority to iden fy this infesta on. We are also grateful to residents who have provided access their proper es and who have shared their experience of yellow crazy ants and the impacts on local wildlife. The Authority has been liaising with local landholders and managers of the equestrian and archery facili es along Vico Street and the Holcim concrete depot on the Gillies Highway, all of which are within the treatment area for the infesta on.
A silver lining to finding such a large and ac ve infesta on is that some Authority staff, many of whom have worked on the program for three or four years, are seeing for the first me how invasive and damaging such an infesta on of yellow crazy ants can be in the natural environment. The infesta on will also provide a ready supply of live ant colonies for odour produc on for the detec on dogs.
Above: The monitoring team at the Vico Street infesta on (Photo: Ryan Henson)
Right: Steve Brewer inspects a creek at the Vico Street infesta on
Photo link
Page 7 Capturing the impacts of yellow crazy ants
The Authority has been working with local and interna onal photographers to capture some amazing images of yellow crazy ants and to demonstrate their impacts on our Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Alex Wild, an entomologist based in the United States, has previously worked with James Cook University photographing yellow crazy ants. Alex’s photographs were recently used in the Authority’s new yellow crazy ant iden fica on flyer and banner.
Local photographers Alan Henderson, of Minibeast Wildlife, and Steven Nowakowski were invited to the Henleys Hill and Vico Street infesta on sites to photograph yellow crazy ants and film the ants’ impacts on the ecosystems of the Wet Tropics.
Their images, videos and drone footage will be used to raise public awareness of the threats yellow crazy ants pose to our way of life and our irreplaceable Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, especially when the ants are in such high abundance.
Page 8 Photos by Alan Henderson Capturing the impact of yellow crazy ants
Alex Wild’s photos of yellow crazy ants with pupae and farming whitefly for honeydew
Sugar link
Page 9 Collaboration with the sugar industry
Since the Authority employed Wesley Moller in 2018, we have strengthened our partnership with the sugar industry in the Mulgrave Central Mill district. The sugar industry’s collabora on is vital to help iden fy any unknown yellow crazy ant infesta ons and prevent further spread.
As a former farmer and mill worker, Wesley has a life me of experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the sugar industry and its processes. Widely liked and respected, Wesley knows most local growers and mill workers personally. Everyone feels comfortable around Wesley. There aren’t many folk who can turn up uninvited on a cane farm in a government car and be welcomed in for a chat.
Outcomes of a successful collabora on
Wesley has made it his job to educate everyone in the sugar industry about the threat of yellow crazy ants, how to iden fy them, and the importance of finding new infesta ons and preven ng further spread. This has involved many training workshops and talks with all aspects of the local sugar industry including mill managers and workers, loco drivers and navvies, harves ng contractors and farmers.
Liaising with Ma Hession of MSF Sugar, Wesley has successfully achieved prac cal collabora ve outcomes. MSF Sugar has shared confiden al data on harvester and machinery movements with the Eradica on Program to help track past yellow crazy ant movements and seek other poten al infesta ons. As a result of extensive consulta on, harvester operators and farmers have now agreed to protocols that s pulate harves ng ant-free areas before harves ng areas within an infesta on, then cleaning machinery down before moving on. Monitoring of harvesters this year shows 100 percent coopera on.
Following the discovery of yellow crazy ants at the Mulgrave Central Mill in 2018, Wesley followed the cane lines south and found an infesta on at Strouds Loop. He then went to where the harvester parked and found another at Moss Access. As a result, Wesley organised teams to survey all 194 cane rail sidings on the mill’s rail network between Yorkeys Knob and Babinda. He also iden fied over 50 designated harvester parking areas for surveys. The results speak for themselves, no more yellow crazy ants were found.
‘The success of yellow crazy ant eradica on will depend on the goodwill and understanding of everyone involved’ says Wesley. ‘I hope I can con nue helping to achieve that with the sugar industry and other industries south of Cairns. Top: Wesley and Ma Hession look for ants Impacts of yellow crazy ants on Below: Wesley consults with Srinda Singh and Raymond Townson sugarcane. Page 10 Collaboration with the sugar industry
In 2020, sugarcane makes up about 586ha of the total 1929ha treatment area and the poten al impacts of yellow crazy ants on sugarcane produc on remain a concern for the industry. Yellow crazy ants in large numbers can dry out root systems in the sugarcane. They also harvest white fly and other sap-sucking insects for honeydew which can create sooty mould on the cane and limit photosynthesis. Cane in several heavy yellow crazy ant infesta ons has suffered significant damage, with an es ma on of up to 40 percent reduc on in produc vity.
Yellow crazy ants can also have other significant impacts for cane farmers, invading houses and yards, spraying acid on wildlife, pets and people, and making life outdoors very uncomfortable. One rural landholder was temporarily blinded by yellow crazy ants spraying acid on his eyes in bed. Pets have developed sores on their feet from acid spray. Electrical equipment has been destroyed by yellow crazy ant invasions indoors.
The costs of yellow crazy ant control in sugarcane, and even around living areas, can also be significant.
Wesley consults with Dino Zappala during the harvest season
Research link
Page 11 Yellow crazy ant research
James Cook University has been contracted un l June 2022 to con nue its research into yellow crazy ants and their eradica on. Associate Professor Lori Lach leads the research team of Dr Peter Yeeles, Ms Angela Strain and Mr Carl Shuetrim. They will conduct a range of research projects in collabora on with the Authority’s science coordinator and monitoring team. They have already begun work on a few major projects to:
• monitor the recovery of non-target invertebrates (par cularly other ant species). Invertebrates will be collected and sorted from at least 20 rainforest sites, including areas that were occupied by yellow crazy ants, buffer areas that received treatment but did not have yellow crazy ants, and control sites. There will also be samples collected from nine sites in drier habitats with three different treatment histories.
• maintain secure facili es to house cap ve colonies of yellow crazy ants for use in training and opera on of odour-detec on dogs. Training aids can be frozen and stockpiled for later use.
• research foraging ac vity and foraging distances of yellow crazy ants in low and high density infesta ons. This knowledge will help to determine how far a detected yellow crazy ant may have travelled from its colony, spot treatment areas for small infesta ons, and colony exposure to treatment (i.e. area of bait consumed x applica on rate).
• calculate the probability of detec on of yellow crazy ants for survey techniques using data analysis of exis ng and ongoing Eradica on Program survey data and the odour-detec on dog.
Clockwise from top le : Peter, Angela and Carl prepare to hang up their leaf li er collec on (Photo: Emmanuel McCarthy), Angela studies foraging at Vico Creek (Photo: Peter Yeeles), and Lori enjoys collec ng colonies at Green Forest (Photo: Peter Yeeles).
Invasive link Page 12 Invasive species and climate change
On 11 March 2020, over 100 guests a ended a seminar at James Cook University in Cairns (with a video link to Townsville). The seminar highlighted how climate change could increase the threat and uncertainty of invasive species in our region. Speakers and guests also discussed how we can all be part of the solu on through ci zen science. You can watch the seminar online here. The seminar was co- hosted by the Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce and James Cook University TESS Seminars.
Dr Cath Moran (Ecologist consultant, CSIRO) discussed seven recommenda ons for adap ve management of biosecurity in the Wet Tropics with a changing climate. These included the need to collaborate across various sectors to be er understand how to manage invasive species in the context of climate change.
Associate Professor Lori Lach (JCU) discussed how climate change could affect the management and control of invasive ants. In general, a more variable climate will exacerbate our knowledge gaps, impact treatment and detec on effec veness, and increase eradica on meframes. On a posi ve note, Australia leads the world in eradica on of invasive ants and, if we can get on top of these infesta ons early and keep them rela vely small, climate variability will have less of an impact.
Mr Andrew Robinson (Earth Guardians) demonstrated the benefits of global ci zen science to monitor the influence of climate change on biodiversity. In par cular, he explained the development of smart phone technology and his company’s gaming app QuestaGame.
A discussion panel followed with the three speakers and two guests: Gary Morton, Principal Project Officer from the Na onal Electric Ant Program and Dr David Westco , a zoologist from CSIRO.
Seminar organisers thanked the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Kuranda Envirocare, Ne e O Designs and the Climate Media Centre for their support.
Cath Moran, Andrew Robinson, Ciara Bridgland, Cathy Re er, Gary Morton, Dave Westco and Lori Lach a er the seminar
Covid link Page 13 Working during the COVID-19 pandemic
By adap ng quickly, the Authority has been able to keep leading the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradica on Program safely while COVID-19 restric ons have been in place. We have con nued the treatments and surveys necessary to address the poten al risk of yellow crazy ants ge ng out of control. The Authority decided to keep the Eradica on Program opera ng as we knew we could con nue field work safely and we wanted to con nue surveys while yellow crazy ants were ac ve. The Eradica on Program provides substan al employment in the Cairns area which is a high priority for both State and Commonwealth governments as they seek to recover economically from the pandemic lockdown.
All staff from our Tingira Street office, apart from some of the monitoring team, transi oned to working from home to reduce the risk of infec on. Staff numbers at the Vickers Street Opera ons Base have been reduced to a maximum of six to allow for social distancing.
Field staff have been provided with addi onal vehicles to enable them to travel with no more than two to a car to maintain safe distancing at all mes. In most cases, team members also travel directly from home to the field site and back, rather than meet at the opera ons base.
Standard survey methodology already sets field staff five metres apart and addi onal hygiene measures have been introduced to promote hand washing, keeping equipment clean and allocated to par cular personnel.
Community engagement has been limited over the past months with the cancella on of community events, workshops and mee ngs due to social distancing requirements. However, the Authority con nues to promote its key messages through electronic media.
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