Invasive Red Fire Ant Colonies, Found in Europe For the First Time.<br />According to a new study, red fire ants <br />have been found in Europe for the first time. .<br />CNN reports that the highly invasive species, <br />which has the scientific name Solenopsis invicta, <br />is natively found in South America.<br />The species have now spread throughout the world, <br />from the United States, all the way to China <br />and Australia, over the last century.<br />The aggressive insects possess <br />a painful sting, which can irritate <br />the skin and trigger allergic reactions.<br />The invasive species can also <br />cause damage to both crops <br />and local ecosystems.<br />According to researchers, 88 red fire ant <br />nests have been identified near <br />the city of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy.<br />S. invicta is one of <br />the worst invasive species. <br />It can spread alarmingly quickly, Mattia Menchetti, Lead study author and researcher at <br />the Institute of Evolutionary Biology, via CNN.<br />Finding this species in Italy <br />was a big surprise, but we <br />knew this day would come, Mattia Menchetti, Lead study author and researcher at <br />the Institute of Evolutionary Biology, via CNN.<br />According to the study's authors, while red fire ants were <br />previously discovered in imported products, this is the first <br />time colonies of the invasive species have been identified.<br />According to the study's authors, while red fire ants were <br />previously discovered in imported products, this is the first <br />time colonies of the invasive species have been identified.<br />The team's findings were published in <br />the scientific journal 'Current Biology.'.<br />Last week, a United Nations-backed report warned that <br />invasive species were driving both plant and animal <br />extinctions, while also threatening global food security.
