Is it too late to stem the spread of the electric ant, a particularly threatening invasive species, in mainland France? A second outbreak was identified in August in the town of Croix-Valmer, in the Var, France Inter revealed on Monday November 18. A first outbreak was discovered two years ago in Toulon, in the same department. From, l'Etat has not still not implemented an eradication operation in the contaminated area.
Microscopic (it measures 1.5 millimeters), orange-yellow in color and capable of reproducing by cloning (without fertilization of the male), the wasmannia auropunctata is native to South America. Classified among the 88 invasive species of concern for the European Union, its bites cause burning sensations and it has major consequences on biodiversity.
In Croix-Valmer, it was the owner of a house in a residential area who reported the presence of these ants after bites “very painful”. “At least ten villas are contaminated, says Luc Gomel, an agricultural engineer by training and specialist in the fight against invasive ants. We find ants in gardens but also in all common green spaces, along sidewalks, in the hydrographic network… ” In Toulon, the first outbreak was discovered by chance by a young ant enthusiast, and the presence of the species was formally confirmed in September 2022. It is found in the gardens of a residence but also inside buildings. and even outside the site, in the natural environment.
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For at least five years
In both cases, the most likely hypothesis is that this species was introduced through ornamental plants. A study is underway to determine whether the clone found at Croix-Valmer is similar to that of Toulon, or to that of populations already observed in other countries, such as in Spain. Given the size of the colonies, specialist Olivier Blight, teacher-researcher at the University of Avignon, estimates that the ants must have arrived at least five years ago.
Since the first report, the response has been slow. Due to the inclusion of the electric ant on the European list in August 2022, the State should have put in place an eradication plan in three months. “Nothing was planned to act quickly, observe Olivier Blight. No European country has the experience of eradicating an ant population. It took a while to find contacts, operators, funding. »
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