2025 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 101-107
The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is one of the most serious invasive alien species, and has destructive effects on native biodiversity, agriculture and public health. In Japan, the S. invicta invasion was first discovered on May 26, 2017, in a shipping container transported from China. Since then, the threat of S. invicta establishment in Japan has been increasing due to its ongoing arrival via cargo container traffic from China. Here we describe the imminent threat of S. invicta establishment in Japan. Furthermore, in Japan, nesting of S. invicta has been continually discovered in cracks in the asphalt pavement of container yards, and winged queens have been detected in those nests. This further increases the threat of its establishment. We discuss why its nesting occurs in container yards and the risks of container yards as a bridgehead for S. invicta establishment. To date, Japanese border control measures have successfully eradicated the ants by detecting their invasion in its early stages. However, further infestation via containerized cargo, and nesting in container yards, increase the likelihood of S. invicta establishment before first detection. Therefore, we have developed novel, effective techniques to prevent S. invicta from entering containerized cargo and from nesting in container yards. These new techniques are introduced in this article, along with further management recommendations.
