Fire ants in coal mine sound agriculture alarm
Fire ant alarm, invasive pests in a new region of the main invasion zone hundreds of kilometers after the new heights hit.
The nests of harmful insects discovered in the Broadmeadow coal mine in the center of Queensland, the mining giant BHP, were destroyed on Wednesday.
In the mine near Moranbah, approximately 150km from Mackay, the first and concerns are increasing in the center of Queensland, the ants are no longer limited to the Southeast Queensland central base.
An immature nest of insects was found in a property in the Tweed Heads on the NSW Far-North Coast on July 2, and a 5 km conservation area was established.
The Invasive Council, the Violation of Biogue Controls in Queensland is a “magnificent failure olan caused by delays to financing increases.
“This epidemic in Broadmeadow is about 800 km away from the known invasion zone – this is not just acceptable,” he said.
“Australia’s chances of eliminating deadly fire ants are destroyed because Australian governments revive and delay critical financing increases.”
Fire ants, known for their painful stings, attack animals, humans and pets.
It is considered one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia, and potentially causes more economic damage than reed frogs, rabbits and wild cats.
Fire ants move in materials such as straw and soil, and high -risk materials are restricted from the Southeast Queensland central base.
Ants are expected to reduce agricultural production by 40 percent in Australia if left uncontrolled.
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said an incident intervention team was immediately sent to the mine area.
“Program personnel are working carefully to destroy these nests and to determine how ants reach this place,” he said.
BHP and national fire ant eradication program were contacted for the comment.
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