Protecting the Wet Tropics from yellow crazy ants

Yellow crazy ants/Alan Henderson

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, renowned for its extraordinary diversity of plants and wildlife. Alongside restoration, strong biosecurity practices can help protect this unique area.

One of the threats to the region are yellow crazy ants. They are recognised as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species and can have significant impacts on the environment, native wildlife, agriculture, industry and people's lifestyles.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority manages this threat through its Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program, which works to eradicate yellow crazy ants from within and adjacent to the World Heritage Area.

Recent detections of yellow crazy ants along Gillies Range Road and Robsons Track highlight the importance of vigilance for anyone working, volunteering or undertaking outdoor activities across the Wet Tropics and Atherton Tableland.

Yellow crazy ants are:

• slender (3–4 mm long) with long legs and antennae

• golden-brown with a darker, sometimes striped abdomen

• named for their fast, erratic movement when disturbed.

Unlike most ants, yellow crazy ants do not bite or sting. Instead, they spray formic acid to subdue prey, immobilising or blinding invertebrates and other small animals. Their nests are often hidden beneath tree roots and in loose leaf litter, making them difficult to detect during restoration and other field activities.

You can help prevent their spread by:

• checking footwear, gear and equipment before moving to another site

• avoiding unnecessary movement of soil, vegetation and other materials

• reporting suspected yellow crazy ants by calling 07 4241 0525 or emailing a photo to yca@wtma.qld.gov.au.

  
  

Before heading into the field, check AntZone, a free, easy-to-use online map showing yellow crazy ant and electric ant infestations. Simply search an address or location to identify whether it is within or near an infestation area and to understand any considerations. Incorporating AntZone into your activity planning helps reduce biosecurity risks and protect the landscapes we're all working to protect.

To learn more, visit Facebook @ycawettropics, check out the Yellow Crazy Ants in Cairns and Kuranda Handbook to learn more about yellow crazy ants, or download WTMA’s Amazing Ants of the Wet Tropics Field Guide for more information on native ants.