Well... the AntsCanada GAN project is helping to spread invasive ants.
This needs to be dragged into the public, even if just because it's hypocrisy at the highest level.
The fact is GAN in it's current state is AWFUL.
Not only is there ZERO quality control in the oh-so-praised native species appreciation project with people selling "unidentified black ants" in plastic bottles, there's actually people KNOWINGLY SELLING INVASIVE ANTS THROUGH THE GAN SYSTEM.
Yes, you can (amongst others) buy red imported fire ants, the worst invasive ant species on the planet, through the GAN project. This gives "Global Nursery" a whole new meaning. And no, it doesn't matter that RIFA is already almost everywhere in Texas, this is a clear violation of GAN rules and obviously nobody at AntsCanada is giving a crap about it.
Here's an overview of the GAN rules (it's not like it's an entire book or a super complicated legal text, in fact it is pretty straight forwards and almost idiot-proof).
In joining the GAN Project as a GAN farmer I am required to:
1) Raise my ants to the best of my ability, providing the colonies with appropriate care and equipment. New queens are to be raised in the standard test tube setup or other proven method.
2) Inform AntsCanada immediately when a colony I am offering dies or if I have another colony available for sale
3) [Exclusivity] Never sell ants to anyone except through the GAN Project; this also applies to previous GAN Hosts (customers). Any and all ant purchasing transactions must be made through the GAN Project through AntsCanada.com unless express written permission is obtained from AntsCanada.com via email. Any inquiries the GAN Farmers may get personally or online must be directed to AntsCanada.com to make the purchase of the GAN Farmer’s colonies.
4) Ensure that the selling of local ants within the GAN FArmer’s area is legal
5) Always meet GAN Hosts in a public place with a companion for safety reasons when picking up the colony
6) Provide a current email address for communication, as well as a skype contact, and to let the AntsCanada.com team know if contact information changes
7) Always conduct myself professionally online and in person when working in association with AntsCanada.com, which includes online science or ant-related websites and when meeting GAN Hosts.
8) Make arrangements to meet with GAN Hosts locally
9) Never sell ants that are not native to his/her area
10) Only sell ants with at least 1 worker
So let's see how hard these rules are actually enforced on the GAN store front page.
Well... looks like Mexico doesn't have enough fire ants yet. Also who needs workers.
*9) Never sell ants that are not native to his/her area
*10) Only sell ants with at least 1 worker
MEXICO:
Mexico City (1 GAN Farmer)
Species: Solenopsis Invicta
Colony size: Pupae state
Housing: Test tube
Price: $10 USD
Number of colonies available: 20
The US clearly needs more fire ants as well.
And why identify them to the species level, it's not like Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis molesta are any noticeably different species.
And again, who needs workers when there are eggs.
*9) Never sell ants that are not native to his/her area
*10) Only sell ants with at least 1 worker
ALABAMA, USA:
Bay Minette (1 GAN Farmer)
Species: Solenopsis invicta
Colony size: Queen
Housing: Test tube
Price: $50 USD
Number of colonies: 15
*9) Never sell ants that are not native to his/her area
GEORGIA, USA:
Savannah (1 GAN Farmer)
[...]
Species: Solenopsis invicta
Colony size: 15-25 workers
Difficulty level/notes: Easy – easy to start with but when the colony size grows they will try and escape and because of their small size they are very good at squeezing into tight places you wouldn’t expect they could (like between two pieces of glass). Tip: Seal everything with glue.
Housing: Test tube
Price: $30 USD
Number of colonies available: 1
*9) Never sell ants that are not native to his/her area
*10) Only sell ants with at least 1 worker
TEXAS, USA:
Austin (3 GAN Farmer)
[...]
GAN Farmer 2
[...]
Species: Solenopsis sp.
Colony size: 15+ workers
Housing: Test tube
Price: $10 USD
Number of colonies: 4
GAN Farmer 3
Species: Solenopsis invicta
Colony size: 1+ workers
Housing: Test tube
Price: $20 USD
Number of colonies: 3
College Station (1 GAN Farmer)
Species: Solenopsis sp
Colony size:Queen + 1-9 workers
Housing: Test tube in small plastic container with sand
Price: $25 USD
Number of colonies available: 5
Species: Solenopsis Sp.
Colony size: Queen + 1-5 workers
Housing: Test tube
Price: $25 USD
Number of colonies available: 10
[...]
Species: Solenopsis Invicta
Colony size: 1-4 Queens + 1-9 workers
Housing: Test tube in small plastic container with sand
Price: $30 USD
Number of colonies available: 30
[...]
Corinth (1 GAN Farmer)
Species: Solenopsis invicta
Colony size: Queen with eggs
Housing: Test tube
Price: $10 USD
Number of colonies available: 34
Edited by Serafine, July 14 2017 - 6:11 AM.