NT: Invader ant closes in on Darwin
23 Jan 2009 2:32 AM
A highly aggressive exotic ant has closed in on Darwin .. threatening to wipe out local species that have sought asylum in the city and its surrounding suburbs.
They're also considered a threat to native plants and animals.
The reddish-yellow Crazy Ants .. so named because of their erratic walking style and frantic movements .. come from Africa and are regarded as one of the world's worst invading pests.
The ants have been blamed for reducing crab populations on Christmas Island and are prevalent in Queensland.
They were detected in Arnhem Land several years ago but despite efforts to curtail their march .. they have now been discovered for the first time in Darwin.
