![]() ![]() That makes the micro-wasp super valuable. Honey dew is the yellow crazy ant’s main source of food. The wasp was a good choice for biocontrol because it only exhibits predatory behaviour toward one species, none other than the yellow lac scale insect, which produces honey dew. He’s enlisted an ally, a 2mm-sized Malaysian micro-wasp known as the Tachardiaephagus somervilli. Dr Green has produced results in the asymmetric battle to curtail the powerful species. Either the creature dies from dehydration or the ants tear it to shreds.Įnter Dr Peter Green, Head of Department at La Trobe University’s College of Science, Health and Engineering. The crazy ants spray acid on the crab, which produces two outcomes. On Christmas Island, yellow crazy ant super colonies are out of control, with countless millions of the island’s iconic red crabs falling victim to a deadly method. La Trobe University’s Dr Peter Green and Dr Alan Marshall. It’s a global scourge that needs to be slowed and contained. But nothing tops the yellow crazy ant, ranked among the world’s 100 most-invasive species. It’s the yellow crazy ant, and authorities have been powerless in their fight against it.įrom the time Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay in 1770, Australia has become home to many destructive species. And over the years it has killed tens of millions on Christmas Island. It’s a global menace, spreading its brood and decimating local vegetation, crops and wildlife. For 60 years it has wreaked havoc, running through ecosystems, building super colonies and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The criminal suspect is small, slender, yellow, erratic and devastating. When you think of Australia’s Most Wanted, who comes to mind? Ned Kelly? Chopper Read? Someone like that? This year’s focus is engagement and the impact of our research. Brought to you by La Trobe University’s Research Week, a series of lunchtime talks where we celebrate our research excellence. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |