Truchaos
08-05-2009, 10:51 AM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/6561157.html
" DALLAS — A species of ant that has ruined sewage pumps, fouled computers and made it difficult for homeowners to enjoy their yards has a new target: the honeybee.
The range of the so-called Rasberry crazy ant has more than doubled in the past year, creating a swath in 11 counties beginning near Houston and moving north, scientists say.
Given the ant's encroachment on livestock, hay bales and a few honeybee farms, some are trying to classify it as an agricultural pest, one that must soon be stopped.
"It really is spreading at an alarming rate and we need to do research now," said Danny McDonald, a Texas A&M University doctoral student who is examining the tiny creature's biology and ecology. "There's no time to wait.""
"He said he's losing about 100 hives to the ants each year. At its peak, Coplin Bee Farms had about 2,500 hives, but colony collapse disorder and Hurricane Ike reduced the business to about 600 hives.
"Everything eats a honeybee — purple martins on down to dragonflies," Coplin said. "But the invasion of these ants is 100 times worse than anything I've seen. This is something new."
Apiculturists say the Rasberry crazy ants don't appear to be interested in the honey; they're after the brood. They invade the honeycomb cell and dine on larvae. When the bees escape, the ants take over the abandoned hive and lay eggs.
Coplin said he's forced to burn the infested hive and equipment. That's cost him about $30,000 so far."
" DALLAS — A species of ant that has ruined sewage pumps, fouled computers and made it difficult for homeowners to enjoy their yards has a new target: the honeybee.
The range of the so-called Rasberry crazy ant has more than doubled in the past year, creating a swath in 11 counties beginning near Houston and moving north, scientists say.
Given the ant's encroachment on livestock, hay bales and a few honeybee farms, some are trying to classify it as an agricultural pest, one that must soon be stopped.
"It really is spreading at an alarming rate and we need to do research now," said Danny McDonald, a Texas A&M University doctoral student who is examining the tiny creature's biology and ecology. "There's no time to wait.""
"He said he's losing about 100 hives to the ants each year. At its peak, Coplin Bee Farms had about 2,500 hives, but colony collapse disorder and Hurricane Ike reduced the business to about 600 hives.
"Everything eats a honeybee — purple martins on down to dragonflies," Coplin said. "But the invasion of these ants is 100 times worse than anything I've seen. This is something new."
Apiculturists say the Rasberry crazy ants don't appear to be interested in the honey; they're after the brood. They invade the honeycomb cell and dine on larvae. When the bees escape, the ants take over the abandoned hive and lay eggs.
Coplin said he's forced to burn the infested hive and equipment. That's cost him about $30,000 so far."