Ant mega-colony takes over world

BBC/UK ^ | Wednesday, 1 July 2009 | Matt Walker

[xcamel]

A single mega-colony of ants has colonised much of the world, scientists have discovered.

Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same inter-related colony, and will refuse to fight one another.

The colony may be the largest of its type ever known for any insect species, and could rival humans in the scale of its world domination.

What's more, people are unwittingly helping the mega-colony stick together.

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) were once native to South America. But people have unintentionally introduced the ants to all continents except Antarctica.

These introduced Argentine ants are renowned for forming large colonies, and for becoming a significant pest, attacking native animals and crops.

[xcamel]

Run!!!!

[Rebelbase]

[Wisconsinlady]

“”Humans created this great non-aggressive ant population,” the researchers write.”

Of course it is our fault-why doesn’t this surprise me?

[Pedrobud]

Gotta be Bush’s fault !!

[NormsRevenge]

The most plausible explanation is that ants from these three super-colonies are indeed family, and are all genetically related, say the researchers. When they come into contact, they recognise each other by the chemical composition of their cuticles.

—

wow. they have cuticles?

[SE Mom]

Ants? From Argentina? Did they make their way to South Carolina on the sole of the governor’s shoes?

[antidemoncrat]

If they try to come through Texas, they will have to get by the fire ant population. Good luck with that!

[norraad]

..they don't like microwaves either, when I see'um glom onto crumbs on a plate left out I just pop it in the microwave (pop being the operative word).

What else, folks, how do you fight the little critters?

[jakerobins]

[B-Chan]

I, for one, welcome our new ant overlords.

[Tribune7]

[Cicero]

while another in the US, known as the "Californian large", extends over 900km (560 miles) along the coast of California.

And I'll be that Arnold is giving them all welfare payments.

[dfwgator]

"One thing is for certain, there is no stopping them; the ants will soon be here. And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords. I’d like to remind them that as a trusted TV personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to…toil in their underground sugar caves."

[BlueNgold]

OK... NOW can we light them on fire?

[CA Conservative]

If they try to come through Texas, they will have to get by the fire ant population. Good luck with that!

I used to be a pest control operator in Texas. You have both fire ants and Argentine ants - I'd rather deal with the Argentine ants any day...

[Redcitizen]

All youe aphids are belong to us.

[savedbygrace]

This could be the solution to our unemployment problem. Pay the unemployed to squash Argentine Ants.

You’d have to pay them by the ant, though, to make sure they aren’t just goofing off all day.

[Rebelbase]

“What else, folks, how do you fight the little critters? “

I was always partial to gasoline and a match.

[50mm]