Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce October 2021 Update

Invasive ants spread rapidly from human assisted movement, usually through illegal dumping of household waste, movement of soil and raw materials, or the swapping and sharing of potted plants. Yellow crazy ants and electric ants have both spread into the Kuranda area by these methods. That’s why we are so excited about our upcoming pot plant quarantine video which will show two methods of how to prepare potted plants before moving—bare rooting and quarantining a pot plant by water bath.  Local contractor Julian Pitcher from Land Plan who specialises in weed control, mapping, land clearing reports and short films has nearly finished producing this ecologically accurate film to bring awareness and educate people about the spread of invasive ants through responsible pot plant movement.

Producer Julian Pitcher setting up for filming the second stage of quarantining a pot plant

Another round of terrestrial invertebrate surveys was undertaken in August by the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s field staff. This long-term study, started in 2017, is in conjunction with James Cook University. The study is aimed at identifying the off-target impacts of bait and measuring the ecological recovery of non-target species from the combined effects of yellow crazy ant infestation and targeted pesticide . There are 21 rainforest sites and 12 dry forest sites in the Bentley Park region just south of Cairns. As per previous rounds, the results so far can identify no consistent effects of treatment in higher counts of species richness or invertebrate abundance.

The Taskforce teamed up with Mike Greasley from Biosecurity Queensland’s National Electric Ant Eradication Program to attend the Kuranda Spring Fair. There was much excitement with live music, performances and a box car . More than 35 people visited our stall and we received three requests for back yard checks from local residents. The live ants attracted many members of the community who enjoyed learning the differences between electric ants and yellow crazy ants. Electric ants are 1–1.5 mm long and yellow crazy ants 4–5mm long and quite a significant difference in size but both equally destructive to our natural environment, agriculture and lifestyle. Kuranda has both yellow crazy ant and electric ant infestations, which is why it’s so important for the community to be aware of these invasive ants and report them.  A huge thanks to our three volunteers Tim, Paul and Annie for representing the Community Taskforce at the Spring Fair.

Mike Greasley and Tim Brown at the Kuranda Spring Fair

Volunteer to join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants

Are you part of a school or community group and would like to know more about yellow crazy ants and what you can do to help in the Kuranda region? Our Taskforce coordinator can share a presentation on how to recognise yellow crazy ants, current infestations, and the impacts they have on our environment, agriculture, and lifestyle.

Community members being able to identify and report sightings assists the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program greatly.

To book your FREE session contact:

coordinator@communitytaskforce.org.au

0409 647 714