New ant discovered in Hong Kong named after Lantau Island, but another species may get you antsy
- Researchers say 10 non-native ant types could have been brought in by trade and insufficient cargo-cleansing measures
- Major pest from South America found in Hung Hom area
Ecologists in Hong Kong have discovered three new species of ant and named one type after Lantau Island, with 10 more identified that were previously not known to exist locally.
Researchers said on Monday that international trade was a possible vector for the foreign species, among which was an urban pest native to South America, sparking concerns of a local infestation.
“Hong Kong is known for trade. Any time you have planes or goods coming in, you may have species [among incoming cargo],” said Benoit Guenard, who led the team of ecologists from the University of Hong Kong’s school of biological sciences.
The three new species never before identified worldwide belong to the Strumigenys ant genus. Also known as miniature trap-jaw ants, the size of these tiny insects ranges from 1.5mm to 4mm.
Among the trio, one was named Strumigenys lantaui after three specimens were collected on Lantau Island.
“It was only found on Lantau Island, so we thought it would be great to name the species after the location, and in particular to emphasise the importance of preserving the natural environment of Lantau,” Guenard said.
Another species, Strumigenys hirsuta, was named for its hairy appearance.
Guenard said these ants were more widespread in Hong Kong, and were found in places such as Lung Fu Shan, Tuen Mun and Sai Kung, where his team conducted research.
The third type, Strumigenys nathistorisoc, was named after the Hong Kong Natural History Society, which funded the work. It was also found on Lantau Island, as well as in North district and Tai Po in the New Territories.
The discovery of the 10 foreign ant species in Hong Kong also meant a second recorded appearance in Asia for Brachymyrmex patagonicus, a type native to South America.
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Considered a major urban pest in the United States, which it has also spread to, this ant species was found in Hong Kong’s Hung Hom neighbourhood in November 2018.
While it does not sting or bite and will not damage building structures, it is known for establishing nests in a wide range of building types.
Hong Kong does not seem to realise how big a threat biological [invasion] represents
In the southeastern US, it is known to invade households, hotels, hospitals and schools, and has become the ant species sparking the most calls to pest control companies, according to Guenard.
“They are not dangerous, but nobody likes to have ants in the house, school or anywhere,” he said.
He added that the government could consider actions to survey and control the spread of this species, as there was a possibility it could infest buildings in the area.
“Hong Kong does not seem to realise how big a threat biological [invasion] represents. As far as I know there are not many control measures being implemented here, so that’s why these species can just establish themselves in the area,” he said.
Red fire ants first arrived in Hong Kong in January 2005 through plants transported from mainland China. Unlike honey bees, the ants can sting repeatedly, causing pain and blisters, and in extreme but rare cases death.
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Red fire ants are considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species.
“Ultraviolet treatment can be applied to products arriving in Hong Kong to kill organisms living on them, as well as detection measures around areas where the species are more likely to appear, such as around ports or airports,” Guenard said.
“If you can detect these early on, you can control the population before it spreads.”
The research was conducted over four years and findings were published in two separate articles in scientific journals ZooKeys and Asian Myrmecology.
