Crazy Yellow Ants Have Killed 30 Million Crabs and Threaten Many Wildlife Species, Prompting Australia to Use Advanced Technology and Drones for Control.
Despite their small size, crazy yellow ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) pose a significant threat to Australia’s environment and wildlife. They can spray acid to hunt vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and nestling birds, and have decimated 30 million crabs, according to the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA). Consequently, Australia has adopted new technology and drones to control this ant species, as reported by Interesting Engineering on August 6.
Crazy yellow ants can spray acid to hunt. (Photo: WTMA/Alan Henderson).
The Wet Tropics region is home to some of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Crazy yellow ants must be controlled because if they spread unchecked, threatening the ecological balance, even larger animals may abandon the area.
Expert teams have ventured into the wilderness to hunt for crazy yellow ants, but they require technological support to work more effectively. Although this species is notoriously difficult to eradicate, drones and DNA analysis technology are providing humans with an advantage in the fight against them, making it easier to locate and eliminate their nests.
The first to discover the crazy yellow ant, researcher Peter Yeeles from James Cook University, stated that they are using a newly developed tracking technique called environmental DNA analysis. “We are not entirely sure what invertebrates like ants leave behind, but we know they leave DNA,” he said.
After experts collect samples from the environment, laboratories can analyze and determine whether crazy yellow ants inhabit the area. Once confirmed, WTMA will deploy helicopters and drones to eradicate them. According to expert Gareth Humphrey at WTMA, technology allows them to focus on these small areas instead of scattering large amounts of bait in places where ants may not reside.
Crazy yellow ants first appeared in Australia over 80 years ago, starting from Christmas Island, and their exact pathway of invasion remains unclear. The country spends over $4 million annually to combat them but has yet to achieve significant progress. One resident shared that crazy yellow ants even invaded her home, damaging electrical wiring. With their ability to spray formic acid, they can also harm pets. Additionally, crazy yellow ants may threaten sugar production and the tourism industry.
