Alarm in Saxony: New invasive ant species Tapinoma magnum discovered!

Alarm in Saxony: New invasive ant species Tapinoma magnum discovered!

A new species of ant is causing a stir in Saxony and is now also attracting attention in other German regions. The Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz confirmed the first evidence of the invasive ant speciesTapinoma magnum. These little crawlers were spotted both in Dresden-Langebrück and in a garden center in Coswig MDR reported. The ants are characterized by their size, which is between two and four millimeters, and the strong scent that they emit when threatened.

Originally from North Africa, the brave ants are spreading primarily through the import of Mediterranean potted plants. The population in Germany has grown steadily since 2011 at the latest, when they were first detected in a tree nursery in Ingelheim. In another part of the country, in Kehl, Baden-Württemberg, the ants have already been encountered in large numbers, where they are causing massive damage - be it by eroding sidewalks or nesting in walls and floors 1and1 reported. Power and internet outages were even reported in this region as a result of the invasion.

The danger of spreading

The ones outTapinoma magnumExisting so-called “supercolonies” can consist of hundreds of thousands to millions of ants, making control of this species much more difficult. Conventional insecticides or hot foam are not very effective, and identifying the ants, which are often confused with native species, is a challenge. A research team from the natural history museums in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe has therefore started a project to find out more about this species and to develop countermeasures.

There are now over 120 species of ants in Germany, and experts warn about the rapidly increasing number of invasive species - in particularTapinoma magnum. As advice, they recommend checking the research project's website for an accurate determination. Submitting photos can help clarify a possible infestation.

What to do if there is an infestation?

If an infestation is actually discovered, experts strongly advise against using insecticides yourself. Instead, it is important to inform the responsible communities immediately. There are currently no control products that are tailored to this invasive ant species, but you should be aware that they do not transmit diseases but can trigger short-term allergies.

The spread ofTapinoma magnumis not just a regional problem for Saxony or Baden-Württemberg. They have also been spotted in other parts of Germany, including Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Cologne and Hanover. Although the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation has not classified the situation as dangerous for ecosystems, the ant is still considered by many to be a pest, and the focus of research and control teams is on this small but persistent species, as the problem of invasive species is becoming increasingly important worldwide, as the information from daily news clarify.