Brazilian red ants invade Sicily, sparking ecological alarm

Brazilian red ants have appeared in Europe. Ecologists are raising alarms as these ants are extremely invasive and may threaten our ecosystem. People also need to be cautious; bites from this species are extremely painful and can trigger severe allergic reactions.

So far, 88 nests of fire ants have been discovered in Sicily. While it was known that they had previously been present, the latest discovery highlights the significant threat to the local ecosystem posed by this species.

Potentially originating from Brazil, these ants could pose a threat to all of Europe.

The fire ant reproduces quickly and grows relatively large. Its bites can be dangerous to humans—they are exceptionally painful and can trigger severe allergic reactions, potentially leading to anaphylactic shock.

The fire ant can cause enormous damage to agricultural fields. In the European Union, it has already been recognized as one of the most invasive species, and ecologists emphasize that it should not have appeared in Europe at all.

Sicilian authorities are combating this insect from South America, which has already caused devastation in China and the United States. However, it is not the only non-native species threatening local ecology.

For several weeks, naturalists have been sounding alarms about the appearance of the Asian hornet in Europe. The Asian hornet preys on honeybees but also consumes flies, beetles, and wild bees.