Entomologists warn invasive species which has killed 80 people in US could enter UK through ports
Deadly red fire ants could soon invade Britain, experts fear, after the first colonies were discovered in Europe.
Entomologists have found 88 red fire ant nests spread over five hectares near the city of Syracuse, in Sicily, Italy, the ant’s first official sighting on the continent.
Distribution modelling shows that under current environmental conditions, the ants could spread across seven per cent of Europe, with London a prime candidate for colonisation.
The south coast of England, southern Wales and parts of the Midlands could also be at risk from the invading species according to the new research, published in the journal Current Biology.