![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/urgent-warning-over-deadly-insects-creeping-closer-to-britain/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/newspress-collage-23907183-1694453364307.jpg&description=CREEPING CLOSER Published : 18:32, 11 Sep 2023 Updated : 18:33, 11 Sep 2023 A POTENTIALLY lethal and aggressive insect is heading to Britain, warns new research. The red fire ant , known for their "painful and irritating" sting, has now spread from South America to Sicily in southern Europe. 2 One of world's most feared creatures is heading to Britain, warns new research Credit: Getty - Contributor 2 The ants are also well known for their painful bite Credit: Getty The invasive species has a reputation for wrecking eco-systems, agriculture and attacking humans. But now experts fear the insect could be heading toward the UK, after finding 88 red fire ant nests spread over five hectares of Syracuse in Sicily. The colonies are located in a suburban area of the city of Syracuse, Sicily, comprising an estuary and a natural park. Study leader Roger Vila of Spain's Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), said: "It is an isolated area, so it is unlikely that it was the first point of entry to the island." The team concluded that the entry point must have been a "transit" area with human activity- such as the commercial port of the city of Syracuse. Analysis of the wind direction indicate that some flying queen ants could have arrived from the north west, where the port of Syracuse is located and where the team has recommended monitoring for the ants. Study leader Roger Vila of Spain's Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), said: "It is an isolated area, so it is unlikely that it was the first point of entry to the island." "The results suggest that half of the urban areas in Europe would be climatically suitable for the establishment of this invasive species. "Large cities such as Barcelona, Rome, London or Paris could be considerably affected by this invasive species, which can impact people's lifestyles due to its abundance and aggressiveness. "Mediterranean coastal cities, highly connected by seaports, are the most suitable to S. invicta, which could facilitate its sp){kind=link}
A POTENTIALLY lethal and aggressive insect is heading to Britain, warns new research.
The red fire ant, known for their “painful and irritating” sting, has now spread from South America to Sicily in southern Europe.
The invasive species has a reputation for wrecking eco-systems, agriculture and attacking humans.
But now experts fear the insect could be heading toward the UK, after finding 88 red fire ant nests spread over five hectares of Syracuse in Sicily.
The colonies are located in a suburban area of the city of Syracuse, Sicily, comprising an estuary and a natural park.