What’s New
Check out what we've been up to in January 2023
Upcoming Ant-ics for 2023
Last year the Taskforce completed seven yellow crazy ant and electric ant survey events in Kuranda tree frog habitat, attended 10 community events, engaged with the Djabugay Bulmba Rangers, collaborated with Biosecurity Queensland to help spread the message about electric ants and contributed 11 articles to The Kuranda Paper and Taskforce website.
The plan for 2023 is to continue informing and educating the community about the to our Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, lifestyle and industry.
The monthly surveys of Kuranda tree frog habitat will start again in March. We will attend monthly community events such as the Kuranda Easter Festival, Kuranda Colorfest, Ecofiesta and the Steiner Spring Fair. An invasive ant identification workshop is planned for February, along with toolbox talks for local community groups and businesses. We will continue to promote the ‘Protect your Patch’ campaign on how to quarantine a pot plant. This demonstration explains how to minimise risks of spreading invasive ants. Our collaboration with Traditional Custodians and project partners will also continue.
The Community Taskforce relies on volunteers to undertake the activities mentioned above so if you have an interest in caring for Country or getting involved in a community organisation doing wonderful things for our local environment then please get in touch.
We would love to meet you and have you on our team. There are a range of activities and events that cater to varying levels of fitness and skill. No experience is necessary, and all training will be provided.
We offer free lunch or morning tea at each event and returning volunteers receive a free T-shirt.
I hope to see you soon for more yellow crazy Ant-ics!
The Taskforce attended the VEXPO (volunteer Expo) in 2022 and will return for 2023
Working with Djabugay Bulmba Rangers since 2015
Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program field staff supports the Taskforce volunteers (from left, Taskforce coordinator Sylvia, staff Lukasz and Adam, Taskforce volunteers Paul and Ellin.
The Taskforce shares an annual stall with Biosecurity Queensland to spread awareness about invasive ants in Kuranda at the Hinterland Steiner School Spring Fair
Dogs trained to sniff out yellow crazy ants
Did you know your workplace could also be home to yellow crazy ants?
Have a look around the yard, storage areas, car park, and outdoor spaces. If you suspect you have these invaders lurking, please let us know.
One of the tools we have to detect yellow crazy ants is the Authority’s odour detection dogs. These amazing canines are great at sniffing out infestations that are not so easy to spot.
If you would like to chat more about having one of our experts from the Authority’s eradication program visit your workplace. We can provide an information session on yellow crazy ants and have the odor-detection dogs do the survey for you, please contact us and we will come to you.
Wet Tropics Management Authority odour detection dog Luna.
(Photo credit Wet Tropics Management Authority)
Israel with odour detection dog Luna, at Limberlost nursery in Cairns looking for yellow crazy ants.
(Photo credit Wet Tropics Management Authority)
Endangered species under threat from invasive ants
The endangered Southern Cassowary and the critically endangered Kuranda tree frog are under threat from invasive ants. Yellow crazy ants do not bite, but they spray formic acid to blind and subdue their prey and slowly kill it. Although they are tiny, they can swarm in large numbers, killing much larger animals like lizards, frogs, small mammals, turtle hatchlings, and chicks, which has a devastating impact on entire ecosystem biodiversity. Both the Southern Cassowary and Kuranda tree frog are endemic to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and need protection.
Due to accidental human assisted movement yellow crazy ants and electric ants are making their way into the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Authority is working hard to eradicate these small but deadly ants. See below map for infestation areas.
We need your help to stop the spread by reporting suspicious ants. If you live in an infestation area, please take your green waste to the invasive ant area at your local transfer station or burn it responsibly by contacting your local fire brigade to adhere to current burn regulations.
Fig.1 Green line Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Yellow crazy ant infestations are highlighted yellow and Electric Ant infestations highlighted red.
(map credit Wet Tropics Management Authority).
A male Endangered Southern Cassowary with chic – Casuarius casuarius
(Photo credit Alex Mitchell)
The Kuranda tree frog, Litoria myola, is just one of many important species that are under threat from yellow crazy ants.
(Photo credit Cathy Retter)
Volunteer With Us
Volunteer and join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants
What’s Coming Up
You want to get involved in our awesome events?
What’s happening
Invasive Ant ID Workshop
WHERE: Kuranda Recreation Centre, Fallon Rd, Kuranda
WHEN: Saturday 4 March 2023, 10 am-1 pm
Lunch included
Monthly yellow crazy ant survey
Looking for invasive ants in Kuranda tree frog habitat
WHERE: Owen Creek, Oak Forest Rd, Kuranda
WHEN: 18 March 2023
8 am –12 pm
Moderate level of fitness required
No experience is necessary; all training is provided on the day.
On a final note
The Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce is a community-run organisation that assists the Wet Tropics Management Authority in managing the yellow crazy ant infestations in Kuranda.
Volunteers are involved in many aspects of the program including undertaking regular monitoring activities, completing surveys, and attending community engagement activities and events.
We search for both yellow crazy ants and electric ants.
To report illegal dumping contact Mareeba Shire Council on 1300 308 461.
Report yellow crazy ants call 1800 CRAZY ANT
To volunteer with the Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce call (07) 4093 8989, email coordinator@communitytaskforce.org.au or visit @ycacommunitytaskforce Facebook page.
