First they took our spot in the World Cup final. Then they rubbed our noses in it with a controversial banner. And now, they’re invading our gardens. Brace yourselves, Britain, because Argentinian insects have officially landed on our shores – and they’re not here for a friendly.
Fresh from dumping England out of the World Cup semi-finals in a fiery 2-1 clash, our South American rivals are apparently launching a second front. Experts at the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) have confirmed that Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have been spotted setting up camp in the north-east of England.
Just like Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez and former Spurs man Giovanni Lo Celso waving a “Falkland Islands are Argentinian” banner after their semi-final win, the six-legged squatters are trying to claim our turf as their own.
According to scientific boffins, the creepy crawlies are less than 2mm long and easily mistaken for the humble British garden ant. But don’t let their size fool you as they play dirty and bring massive numbers.
A report by the NNSS published in Pest Control News warns that the sneaky invaders form: “enormous interconnected ‘supercolonies’ containing multiple queens and nests.”
And once they set up camp, they don’t share the pitch. Experts warn they are known to “displace native ants and other arthropods, disrupting food webs and ecological relationships.”
The boffins revealed that Argentine ants are highly damaging because they protect sap-feeding pests like aphids in exchange for sugary secretions.
While they used to stick to indoor spots, a hardy outdoor crew was previously found in Fulham, West London. And thanks to milder winters, the little invaders are ready to survive the British cold.
If you thought the regular Argentine ant was a handful, they’ve got some seriously aggressive backup waiting on the bench. Boffins are also on high alert for the red imported fire ant – known as the “hard men” of the insect world.
The report warns that the species: “possesses a venomous sting that causes a burning sensation and can trigger severe allergic reactions.”
In a terrifying revelation, scientists revealed the colonies are “capable of surviving flooding by forming floating rafts” out of their own bodies. That is a level of defensive discipline England’s back four could only dream of.
Experts say we need a top-tier biosecurity defence to stop them by monitoring ports and restricting the movement of soil and plants. Using chemical baits to target their sneaky satellite nests can also be effective.
FIFA might be investigating the football team’s banner drama, but we need our own defensive wall to keep the six-legged colonisers at bay.
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