入侵的火蚁威胁澳大利亚的生态系统和生活方式

火蚁是一种原产于南美洲的入侵物种，在澳大利亚已成为日益严重的威胁，带来了严重的健康和环境问题。在昆士兰州金布巴，拉文德一家的户外活动因遭遇火蚁而中断，他们的女儿被严重蜇伤。这些蚂蚁以其攻击性行为和叮咬带来的痛苦而闻名，已在全国范围内迅速蔓延，引发了人们对过敏反应和广泛的生态系统破坏的担忧。包括诱饵计划和监控技术在内的紧急根除工作正在进行中，以阻止蚂蚁的扩散并保护澳大利亚的生活方式。

Advancement of Invasive Fire Ants Poses Significant Threat to Australian Ecosystem and Lifestyle

入侵性火蚁的发展对澳大利亚生态系统和生活方式构成重大威胁

Introduction

介绍

Australia faces an escalating threat from an aggressive and invasive species: fire ants. Originally hailing from South America, these insects have rapidly established a foothold in the country, prompting widespread concern among residents and environmentalists.

澳大利亚面临着来自侵略性和入侵性物种：火蚁的不断升级的威胁。这些昆虫最初来自南美洲，很快在该国立足，引起了居民和环保人士的广泛关注。

Accidental Encounter Leads to Alarm

意外遭遇引发警报

Colleen Lavender, a concerned parent from Jimboomba, Queensland, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of fire ants. Her 11-year-old daughter, Lily, was playing in a park when she inadvertently disturbed a fire ant nest. The angry swarm attacked Lily, leaving her with over 50 painful and pustule-filled welts.

来自昆士兰州金布巴的一位忧心忡忡的家长科琳·拉文德 (Colleen Lavender) 亲眼目睹了火蚁造成的毁灭性影响。她 11 岁的女儿莉莉 (Lily) 在公园里玩耍时，无意中惊动了火蚁巢。愤怒的蜂群袭击了莉莉，给她留下了 50 多处疼痛且布满脓疱的伤痕。

The incident has forced the Lavender family to reassess their outdoor activities due to the prevalence of fire ant nests in their surroundings. "We don't walk around barefoot anymore like Aussie kids used to do," Ms. Lavender said, expressing her dismay at the potential consequences for the Australian lifestyle.

由于周围火蚁巢穴的普遍存在，这一事件迫使拉文德一家重新评估他们的户外活动。 “我们不再像以前的澳大利亚孩子那样赤脚走路了，”拉文德女士说，她对这对澳大利亚生活方式的潜在后果表示沮丧。

Origins and Characteristics of Fire Ants

火蚁的起源和特征

Fire ants are small insects, typically measuring 2 to 6 millimeters in length and possessing a coppery-brown coloration. They have an aggressive temperament and deliver a painful sting. Their nests are characterized by dome-shaped mounds or patches of disturbed dirt, lacking any obvious entry or exit points.

火蚁是一种小型昆虫，通常长度为 2 至 6 毫米，呈铜棕色。它们性情好斗，蜇人后会感到疼痛。它们的巢穴的特点是圆顶形的土丘或被扰动的泥土，没有任何明显的入口或出口点。

Invasive Spread and Ecological Impact

入侵传播和生态影响

First detected in Brisbane in 2001, fire ants have since spread rapidly throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. Their success stems from the absence of natural predators in Australia and a climate that is highly conducive to their survival.

2001 年，火蚁首次在布里斯班被发现，此后迅速蔓延到整个昆士兰州和新南威尔士州北部。它们的成功源于澳大利亚没有天敌以及非常有利于它们生存的气候。

Fire ants are a voracious predator, consuming ground-nesting animals and insects, including lizards, frogs, and mammals. The National Fire Ant Eradication Plan warns that their presence could have a domino effect on the entire ecosystem, potentially eliminating native species.

火蚁是一种贪婪的掠食者，吃地面筑巢的动物和昆虫，包括蜥蜴、青蛙和哺乳动物。国家火蚁根除计划警告说，它们的存在可能会对整个生态系统产生多米诺骨牌效应，有可能消灭本地物种。

Health Concerns and Economic Impacts

健康问题和经济影响

In addition to their ecological damage, fire ants pose significant health risks to humans. National allergy bodies have estimated that up to 174,000 Australians could develop severe allergic reactions to their bites if the species becomes endemic. Fire ants have also been responsible for hundreds of deaths in the United States since the 1990s.

除了生态破坏之外，火蚁还对人类造成重大健康风险。国家过敏机构估计，如果该物种成为地方病，多达 174,000 名澳大利亚人可能会因被叮咬而出现严重过敏反应。自 20 世纪 90 年代以来，火蚁还导致美国数百人死亡。

The economic implications of fire ant infestation are also substantial. In the United States, they have caused widespread crop damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. Similar losses are anticipated in Australia, with over 50 types of produce at risk.

火蚁侵扰的经济影响也很大。在美国，它们对农业和园艺作物造成了广泛的损害。预计澳大利亚也会遭受类似损失，有 50 多种农产品面临风险。

Government Response and Eradication Plan

政府应对和根除计划

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Australian government has committed an additional half a billion dollars to the National Fire Ant Eradication Plan. This plan encompasses a multi-faceted approach to combat the spread of fire ants.

认识到形势的紧迫性，澳大利亚政府已为国家火蚁根除计划额外投入 5 亿美元。该计划包括采取多方面的方法来遏制火蚁的蔓延。

Surveillance is a key component, utilizing remote sensing technology and artificial intelligence to identify nests from the air. Field officers and odor detection dogs also conduct regular surveys to locate and treat infestations.

监视是一个关键组成部分，利用遥感技术和人工智能从空中识别巢穴。现场官员和气味探测犬还定期进行调查，以定位和治疗感染。

Baiting programs, which employ both insect growth repellents and fast-acting insecticides, are underway to kill ants and prevent colony expansion. The baits are safe for humans and pets and break down quickly after use.

正在实施诱饵计划，使用昆虫生长驱避剂和速效杀虫剂来杀死蚂蚁并防止蚁群扩张。这些诱饵对人类和宠物来说是安全的，并且在使用后很快就会分解。

Community Responsibility

社区责任

Individuals play a vital role in combating fire ant spread. Anyone who suspects they have found a fire ant nest should report it to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. Residents in infested zones are encouraged to treat their properties even if nests are not visible.

个人在对抗火蚁传播方面发挥着至关重要的作用。任何怀疑发现火蚁巢穴的人都应向国家火蚁根除计划报告。鼓励受感染地区的居民处理他们的财产，即使巢穴不可见。

By working together, the community can help prevent the spread of this invasive species and protect the Australian ecosystem and way of life.

通过共同努力，社区可以帮助防止这种入侵物种的传播，并保护澳大利亚的生态系统和生活方式。