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Trace-forward reveals little fire ants in Kīpahulu. Public encouraged to report stinging ants

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Lissa Strohecker

MISC crews survey a section of road along Hāna Highway in Kīpahulu.

On August 26th, 2024, the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) field crew detected a small population of little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) along Hāna Highway near the entrance of the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. This finding follows the late May detection of little fire ants (LFA) at a county storage area on Waikaloa Road in Hāna. The ants likely spread via contaminated road fill to Kīpahulu within the last year. The infestation appears to be confined to approximately two-thirds of an acre, less than half a soccer field.

This new discovery resulted from a MISC trace-forward effort, which involves looking to see where the ants might have been moved. “Little fire ants are notorious hitchhikers,” says Brooke Mahnken, who coordinates the LFA project for MISC, “and they’re easy to miss until someone gets stung, which is how the Waikaloa Road infestation was discovered.” The MISC team has been working closely with Maui County ever since the ants were first detected in Hāna. “Maui County has been completely supportive of control efforts,” Mahnken says. “They brought in heavy equipment to open up access for treatment and have followed all recommended protocols to prevent further spread.” Several ground treatments at Waikaloa Road site have already occurred— including all the fill piles—and the first full-site treatment by helicopter is scheduled for September 23.

As part of the trace-forward investigation, MISC crews are surveying areas where fill from Waikaloa was used—from Honomanū to Ulupalakua. So far, crews have not found little fire ants during surveys in Honomanū, Keʻanae, and Wailua. No LFA have been found at the Hāna landfill.

Little fire ants are one of the most destructive invasive species in Hawai‘i. Known for forming ‘supercolonies’ that outcompete native insects and displace animals, they are a serious environmental threat. Infestations jeopardize agriculture, can blind pets with their stings, and prevent enjoyment of outdoor spaces including backyards, beaches, and trails.

Community reports are vital in stopping LFA; the vast majority (18 of 25) of detections on Maui were thanks to the public. MISC works closely with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Hawaiʻi Ant Lab to eliminate LFA at the 25 sites discovered across Maui. Ten sites remain under active control but 15 are either eradicated or in the final monitoring phase. Innovative methods – including treatment by helicopter– are proving successful and will now be used in Waikaloa.

Funding from the County of Maui and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council has supported eradication efforts, but Mahnken is concerned about recent trends. “Consistent, repeat treatments are needed for eradication. If we fall behind, everything takes longer, increasing the likelihood that the ants will move to new locations.” The key to keeping LFA from becoming established is finding them early and he urges the public to keep reporting stinging ants.

If you are stung by ants outside or in your home, report through 643PEST.org. For more information, visit stoptheant.org.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) is a grant-funded project of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, working to contain or eradicate high-threat invasive species across Maui County. Learn more at mauiinvasive.org.

PDF VERSION PRESS RELEASE

Filed Under: Home Slider, Little Fire Ants, Press Release Tagged With: 2024, kipahulu, little fire ants, stinging ants, waikaloa

Get involved! Help survey for Little Fire Ants Saturday, October 22.

Posted on October 12, 2011 by MISC Leave a Comment

MISC staff assist the Hawaii Department of Agriculture surveying for little fire ants. MISC file photo.

MISC staff assist the Hawaii Department of Agriculture surveying for little fire ants. MISC file photo.

Little fire ants (LFA) are devastating communities across the Pacific. Passive and deceitfully small in size, these South American imports pose a grave threat to Hawaii. They can deliver a painful sting, blind animals, and reduce biodiversity.

A cat on the big island blinded from a fungal infection, the likely outcome of little fire ant stings. MISC file photo.

A cat on the big island blinded from a fungal infection, the likely outcome of little fire ant stings. MISC file photo.

You can help!  We’re conducting a neighborhood survey for the LFA Saturday, October 22, from 8:30 am to 12pm. The little fire ant has been found once on Maui, and because the infestation was small it was eradicated. However, the source of the infestation has never been determined and there’s a good chance LFA are somewhere else on Maui. Your help in getting the word out is greatly appreciated!

Please contact us at miscpr@hawaii.edu by October 19th if you are interested in participating. We’ll contact you with more details.

More about the little fire ant…

If LFA were to become established in Hawaii, they would become the state’s most devastating pest. Throughout the Pacific, LFA has overwhelmed communities. If we do not stop the spread of the little fire ant we stand to lose much of our agricultural industry. We will lose our ability to grow our own food, enjoy our yards, and hike through the forest. Ground nesting seabirds and sea turtle hatchlings will be attacked, along with many of our rare insect species. Once little fire ant is established, there is little hope of eradication. Learn more through the postings on this blog under the category invasive animals.

I thought we already had fire ants here?

Don't confuse the little fire ant with the much larger and widespread tropical fire ant

Don’t confuse the little fire ant with the much larger and widespread tropical fire ant (above). Photo courtesy of HDOA

Yes, the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata, has been in Hawaii since the 1940s. While the tropical fire ant is a serious and unpleasant pest, it pales in comparison to the little fire ant. LFA are ½ the size of the tropical fire ant, only as long as a penny is thick. LFA typically sting people on their necks as they rain down from trees. Learn to tell the difference at www.reportapest.org.

To report a suspected infestation of the little fire ant in Maui County call MISC at 573-6472.

Filed Under: Get Involved!, Invasive Animals Tagged With: blind animals, lfa, little fire ant, stinging ants, survey, volunteer opportunity

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Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
Office: (808) 573-6472
Press and Media Inquiries: (808) 344-2756
Mailing Address:
PO Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768

Acting Manager / Public Relations: Lissa Strohecker
E-mail: miscpr@hawaii.edu

Special Projects: Teya Penniman
E-mail: miscmgr@hawaii.edu

Statewide Pest Hotline: 808-643-PEST
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