The red imported fire ant has arrived in Franklin County as the species continues its spread north. Nearby Patrick County is now under quarantine to prevent its spread.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension recently announced the invasive species鈥 arrival in a news release Monday. Residents are urged to report any sightings of the ants to the Virginia Cooperative Extension or to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Fire ants swarming a piece of a hotdog for scale. Residents are urged to report any sightings to state agencies.
鈥淓arly detection and reporting are vital to managing and controlling the spread of this invasive pest,鈥 said Shawn Jadrnicek with the Virginia Cooperative Extension in the news release.
The red imported fire ants are reddish-brown in color with workers varying in size from 1/16 to 1/5 of an inch. The ants are aggressive when disturbed and form large mounds in open areas.
鈥淭he red imported fire ant is a significant threat due to its aggressive behavior and painful stings. It is crucial to identify and report sightings to help control its spread,鈥 Jadrnicek said in the news release.
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The mounds can range from 6 inches to as much as 3 feet in height. They are dome-shaped with hard, weather-resistant crusts.
The fire ants prefer to construct mounds in area that are open and exposed to the sun. The are often found in cultivated fields or pastures. They are rarely found in wooded locations with heavy tree canopy. They can also nest in cemeteries, parks, playing fields and yards, according to the VCE.
The red imported fire ants are native to South America. It is believed they were transported to Mobile, Alabama, by cargo ships around 1930.
Anyone who locates a red imported fire ant colony is asked to contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension at 540-772-7524.
Meanwhile, the VCE is is reporting that another invasive species, the spotted lanternfly, is now widespread throughout the region and Virginia. As a result, all quarantines and reporting requirements related to this invasive pest have been lifted.
Some states still maintain spotted lanternfly quarantines and may require businesses shipping from Virginia to have a valid spotted lanternfly permit. Care should also be taken if traveling outside of the state or county to prevent eggs and insects from hitch hiking on cars and outdoor items.
Eggs are laid by lanternflies in masses and covered with a waxy substance. Nymphs hatch from eggs and go through four instars, starting as black with white spots and eventually becoming red with black and white spots. Adults are approximately 1 inch long, with gray wings and distinctive black spots. Their hind wings are red with black spots.
Contact the VCE for best practices on controlling the lanternflies spread.
