9 replies to this topic

[Martialis]

For those wondering exactly why we have such strict regulations on ants.

 

https://www.nj.com/n...rk-airport.html

 

Imagine what could have happened if they hadn't been caught—this is the classic example of how invasives spread to new areas.  The laws we have in place prevent even more events like the one above from occurring.

[Barristan]

Did he bring the ants by mistake or did he try to smuggle them into the US that is not clear, or my English is just too bad...

 

For those wondering exactly why we have such strict regulations on ants.

 

 

I thought you have such a strict law because for some strange reason all ants are considered plant pests, not because of the danger of becoming invasive.
 

Imagine what could have happened if they hadn't been caught—this is the classic example of how invasives spread to new areas.  The laws we have in place prevent even more events like the one above from occurring. 

In most cases nothing, I wonder how many ants come into the US from other continents unintended. That's also how most invasive spread, by bringing them unintended into the country, with plants, cargo.

In Europe there is no strict law like in the US and do you know how many new invasive we have since ant trading started in 2000? 0

Edited by Barristan, June 18 2019 - 9:47 AM.

[PacificNorthWestern]

Does anybody know what species that was?

[AnthonyP163]

For those wondering exactly why we have such strict regulations on ants.

 

https://www.nj.com/n...rk-airport.html

 

Imagine what could have happened if they hadn't been caught—this is the classic example of how invasives spread to new areas.  The laws we have in place prevent even more events like the one above from occurring.

There's been tons of topics similar to this thread, this will only cause unnecessary arguments.

[Acutus]

Did he bring the ants by mistake or did he try to smuggle them into the US that is not clear, or my English is just too bad...

 

For those wondering exactly why we have such strict regulations on ants.

 

 

I thought you have such a strict law because for some strange reason all ants are considered plant pests, not because of the danger of becoming invasive.
 

 

 

 

Barristan, It's probably both. The real reason ALL ants here are labeled as "Plant Pests" is because almost nobody can really tell the difference. To almost everyone Ant are Ants. Banning them all makes enforcement easier. This is also the reason we have a permit system in place. This allows the government and the applicant to be sure of exactly what is transpiring and which species of ants.

[Manitobant]

Does anybody know what species that was?

since the person in the article said it was a "fat" ant, I'm guessing a camponotus sp.

[dspdrew]

Haha, I didn't even notice this before I posted about it.

[Acutus]

 

Does anybody know what species that was?

since the person in the article said it was a "fat" ant, I'm guessing a camponotus sp.

 

Where's the outcry for " body shaming" the poor ant!!!

[smares]

Was the person importing the ants illegally or legally? I didn't see it in the article. Seems like something they would have spotted right away when scanning his baggage.

[Barristan]

My guess is that a single worker ant (probably major? Fat ant is not very precise) made its way into the luggage in Venice than in the airplane it came out thinking: "Oh Venice looks different today, where are all my ant buddies?" and tried to find its way back to the nest.

 

But of course you can hype this case and use it as a proof how important US laws regarding ant shipment are.

 

Meanwhile you may ship a lot of different types of insects across state borders and nobody cares if they might become invasive or not. Not to talk about all the plants people have in their houses and gardens.

 

But I know ants are the most dangerous of all invasive species... Oh wait they probably aren't:

 

So some irresponsible lanternfly keepers brought them in? Oh no they were brought into the US via other goods like most of the other invasive species and ALL invasive ant species.