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Solenopsis invicta, whose Latin name includes
the word "invincible," is dangerously aggressive and destructive to
humans and to the environment.
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), or RIFA, is an aggressive invasive species from South America that attacks all ground-nesting creatures with a powerful burning sting. RIFA also attacks plants, feeding on young saplings, seeds, buds and fruit.
While the red imported fire ant is not yet present in the Hawaiian Islands, this invasive pest species will probably find its way to Hawaii via shipped cargo from California.
The red imported fire ant has cut a 300 million-acre swath across the southeastern United States since the late 1930s, costing billions of dollars annually in damage. It is now in Southern California where projected impacts are expected to cost as much as $9 billion over the next 10 years.
A new study, "Potential economic impact of introduction and spread of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in Hawaii," by researchers John Gutrich, Ellen VanGelder and Lloyd Loope, suggests that the cost to Hawaii would add up to more than $211 million a year. Projected expenditures over a 20-year period following introduction would total $2.5 billion.
Elimination of outdoor activities for residents and tourists would be hardest hit at $134 million. Individual households would spend more than $48 million on pesticide control. Impacts on urban infrastructure would add up to more than $17 million. Recreation, tourism and business impacts would cost almost $7 million. Agriculture, including cattle and crop production, as well as flowers and nursery quarantine, would sustain costs of more than $3 million.
Hawaii's climate would provide a favorable environment for red imported fire ants all year-round should this species become established here. Such establishment would negatively impact Hawaii's flora and fauna, biodiversity in rural habitats, and require control in urban landscapes.
The study suggests that the most cost-effective action is one of prevention, early detection and rapid response treatment strategies. The authors also strongly advise that a delayed response would result in a diminishing ability to control red imported fire ants over time.
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| Aloha
The red imported fire ant is infamous throughout the southeastern U.S. for its ferocious sting and the damage it causes to people, pets, livestock, plants and wildlife. It is not yet in Hawaii and we'd like to keep it that way! Once established, this invasive ant quickly spreads and becomes impossible to eradicate in a short time. Hawaii is at risk due to the frequent import of cargo and plant shipments from California, where the red imported fire ant is now present. Cost-effective action in Hawaii requires the combined prevention efforts of state and federal quarantine, backed by early detection and rapid response treatment programs.
Mindy Wilkinson
Invasive Species Coordinator
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The red imported fire ant measures 3-6 mm in length and lives in colonies numbering as many as 250,000.
Photo by HDOA.
Coordinating Hawaii's Response
In 2005 and 2007 the Hawaii Invasive Species Council funded a key staff position to review and plan how to better prevent and respond to red imported fire ants as well as other invasive ant species. The "Ant Coordinator" facilitates more effective protection of Hawaii's environment from harmful invasive ant species by reviewing current information and facilitating coordination, organization, prioritization, and implementation of measures to prevent the introduction of invasive ants into Hawaii.
Efforts include special emphasis on prevention of the establishment and interisland spread of the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) and the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). This work also assists federal and state agencies to implement more effective protection measures from non-native pest organisms, including identification of pathways of entry for invasive ant species into Hawaii, developing management plans and educational material, technical writing, organizing meetings and other support.
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RIFA bites cause blisters filled with white pus that last several days. Photo by Texas IFA Management Project.
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis Invicta): A Severe and Imminent Threat to Hawaii
Solenopsis invicta (excerpt from a report submitted to the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, CGAPS, on 22 March 2000 by Lloyd Loope)
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Report Invasive Pests
643-PEST (7378) |
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