Managing the impacts of the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) in French Polynesia (full report) = Gestion des impacts de la petite fourmi de feu (Wasmannia auropunctata) en Polynesie francaise

Abstract

The little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, is a small ant native to Central and South America which has been introduced into seven Pacific Island groups. It is considered by invasive experts to be the greatest ant species threat within the Pacific Region. Although its official discovery in Tahiti was in 2004, it is likely that the little fire ant has been present in Tahiti for much longer. The centre of contamination in Tahiti is the northern Mahina Commune. Initial treatment and monitoring initiatives to combat the ant invasion were carried out between 2005 and 2009, but were discontinued in 2010.