 |
 |
'Crazy ant' invading Texas, destroying electronics
|
|
|
|
|
MacNN Staff
Join Date: Jul 2012
Status:
Offline
|
|
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the US fire ant population is being pushed out by "tawny crazy ants," with an affinity to the interior of electronic devices. The ants are capable of nesting in nearly any container, and as they travel, they disrupt other ant populations.
"They nest in electronics and create short circuits, as they create a contact bridge between two points when they get electrocuted they release an alarm pheromone," says UT research assistant Edward LeBrun. "The other ants are attracted to the chemicals that other ants give off. At this point, more ants arrive and create a larger nest."
Some researchers claim that a single nest can contain multiple queens, and normal poisons and baits have little effect on the new species. Without assistance migrating, the species travels approximately 650 feet per year.
The initial name of "Raspberry Crazy Ants" was named after pest control worker Tom Rasberry who first discovered the ant, and reported the population to Texas A&M researchers. The scientific name for the subspecies is Nylanderia fulva.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moderator  Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status:
Offline
|
|
So, there'll now be real bugs in our electronics again, just like the first one. Great.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status:
Offline
|
|
i read this story on yahoo a day or two ago. never thought i'd see it here.
|
|
imac g3 600
imac g4 800 superdrive
ibook 466
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2006
Status:
Offline
|
|
I am waiting for a movie version of this. I am sure someone is brainstorming right now.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrator  Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: California
Status:
Offline
|
|
Sounds like it would be easy to make a trap for these ants. Just like those UV bug zappers. All you need is a tightly spaced grid in a box near the ants. With normal bug zapper internals otherwise.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Regular
Join Date: Apr 2008
Status:
Offline
|
|
Enjoyed the story! Ever since I was knee-high to an ant I remember the "fire ant" being the bad boy on the block. The ultimate evil that will destroy humanity! Heck, they even made movies about fire ants. And then in walk the Rasberry ants. Reminds me of the movie Rocky. 'You ain't so bad, you ain't so bad'. 
Anyone wondering why this story is here, look up the term "bug" as it applies to computers.
Fwiw: Bug zappers kill more "good bugs" than "bad bugs". Google it. I disabled the "zapper" but kept the UV light. I let Nature and Bats sort it out.
Again, nice story. More proof that mankind is not as "in charge" as it would like to believe.
Everyone else: Lighten Up!
Namaste
=0)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Columbus, OH
Status:
Offline
|
|
Sound like a good name for a game: "Crazy Ants".
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2011
Status:
Offline
|
|
"I am waiting for a movie version of this. I am sure someone is brainstorming right now."
Right you are; this has all the right movie elements - Antz, African Killer Bees, Short Circuit, A Bug's Life, Creepy-crawlies - you name it, this real-life story's got it!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2011
Status:
Offline
|
|
"I am waiting for a movie version of this. I am sure someone is brainstorming right now."
Right you are; this has all the right movie/game elements - Antz, African Killer Bees, Short Circuit, A Bug's Life, Creepy-crawlies - you name it, this real-life story's got it!
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
Forum Rules
|
|
|
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top