Are fire ants worse this spring because of Hurricane Harvey?

Ecologists are checking to see if floods gave advantage to invasive ants

Date:  March 26, 2018

Source:  Rice University

Summary:

Ecologists are checking to see if Hurricane Harvey's unprecedented floods gave a competitive boost to fire ants and crazy ants, two of southeast Texas' least favorite uninvited guests.

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Crazy Ants! Secret Weapon Lets Invaders Take Over US South

by Tanya Lewis, LiveScience Staff Writer | February 13, 2014 02:00pm ET

All over the southern United States, miniature foes are engaging in fierce battle. Invasive "crazy ants" have been displacing fire ants, and a curious defensive strategy may be behind the crazy ants' bold takeover.

Fire ants pack potent venom that kills most ants that come into contact with it. But when crazy ants get stung, they secrete a substance and rub it all over themselves to neutralize the venom, new research finds.

This detoxifying behavior — the first example of an insect capable of detoxifying another's venom — may be the reason crazy ants have been able to compete with the venomous fire ants, according to the study detailed online today (Feb. 13) in the journal Science.

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