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ENVIRONMENT WATCH ANT INVADERS A BIG RISK TO ISLANDS BY JEFF COOK O ne of the world's smallest but most invasive insect species has set up home in New Zealand. The Argentine ant may be small but it is aggressive and threatens native insects, skinks and birds; either attacking them directly or competing for food. They can also take over native plant root systems. Argentine ants were first discovered in New Zealand in 1990 and are now found on the Auckland mainland including marinas at Westhaven and Gulf Harbour, and in the Hauraki Gulf on Kawau, Waiheke, and Great Barrier Islands. They are also found in other regions of New Zealand. "Many of our offshore islands are sanctuaries for native birds, insects and plants, and invasive insects like Argentine ants are a major threat to these values," says Jack Craw, Auckland Council's Biosecurity Manager. "While Argentine ants are one of the most invasive ant species, they are also not the only one that poses a risk, and can be difficult to identify," says entomologist Dr Chris Green of the Department of Conservation. should be left behind and the ants reported to Auckland Council Biosecurity or DoC. A good way to check other materials like building supplies or firewood is to bang or shake the gear as the disturbance rouses the ants and they boil out into the close vicinity. Food should also be stored in tightly sealed containers and waste should be stored well in good rubbish bins. Brian Shields and Rhys Jones and assistant searching for Argentine ants on Kawau Island Argentine ant This means that skippers should be keeping their vessels, equipment and cargo completely ant- free, as this ensures that no ant species are being transported to and from islands. If a skipper sees a trail of ants onboard, they have a problem and may even have a nest. They need to address this quickly. A lot of work is being done in the Hauraki Gulf by Auckland Council, DoC, and volunteers, to control or eradicate Argentine ants from infested islands and to protect other, ant-free islands like Rakino, Little Barrier and the Broken Islands. We currently have a major eradication programme happening at Great Barrier. Auckland Council and DoC also run 'Treasure Islands', a joint pest-free island awareness campaign in the Hauraki Gulf. How to stop the spread of ants: Ants can easily hitch a ride to offshore islands in items like pot plants, bark, building materials, and camping gear, so skippers should check this gear and their vessels for ants. Before taking pot plants to any island, dunk them in water for a minimum of 60 seconds, which will send ants to the surface. If ants appear floating up from the pot plant the entire shipment Treasure islands PLEASE Check for stowaways CHECK YOUR BOAT AND GEAR FOR RATS, MICE, ARGENTINE ANTS, RAINBOW SKINKS, SOIL AND SEEDS SET BAIT OR TRAPS FOR ANIMAL PESTS REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) September/October 2012 Professional Skipper 57 Good news in the fight against Argentine ants: In a world first, Welsh springer spaniel Rhys Jones has become a fully certified Argentine ant sniffer dog under handler Brian Shields, an Auckland Council Biosecurity contractor. Rhys is certified to find low numbers of ants when it is difficult for other means to detect them. He is also trained to seek out ants in nurseries and pot plants or building materials. The long term goal is to build up our surveillance for Argentine ants to include businesses and suppliers like nurseries and building suppliers and work with these industries towards a 'pest-free' accreditation, says Jack Craw. How to spot Argentine ants: Argentine ants are 2-3mm long and are a pale honey-brown colour, unlike most house ants, which are black. They travel in defined continuous trails, up to five or six ants wide, and tend to walk or swarm over objects rather than go around them. They are often found on citrus trees, and also like sweet things such as flower nectar and any food with sugar. Argentine ants also need proteins like meat, fish and eggs for nest growth. How to control Argentine ants: Argentine ants are extremely difficult to control. The only effective method currently available is Xstinguish™ Argentine ant bait. This product is available through 'Flybusters Antiants' (0800 83 70 70) or Garrards NZ Ltd (0800 222 270).Do not use other ant control products as these may disturb the colony's queens, which can split up the nest allowing the formation of new nests. For advice, or if you suspect you have found Argentine ants, phone Auckland Council Biosecurity (09 301 0101) or DoC (0800 DOC HOT) and please keep a sample in a well sealed container. Visit www.treasureislands.co.nz or www.projectislandsong. co.nz for more on these pest-free island projects. www.projectislandsong.co.nz www.treasureislands.co.nz