In a routine inspection carried out by the inspectors of the plant protection services and the inspection at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the port of Ashdod, in a shipment of thatch imported from China, an ant of the type Linepithema humile, which is considered an invasive and aggressive species, was found. It is even included in the list of the 100 most dangerous invasive species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
This is a relatively large ant, with a reddish hue that originates in Argentina. There it spread to large areas of the world through international trade. Wherever this species invaded, it harmed the local ant species, to the point of their extinction, and caused instability and changes in the local ecosystems. The environmental consequences of the Argentine ant invasion also have agricultural significance, because the ant may harm pollinators and even plants that rely on other ants to spread seeds. In view of the fact that this ant may cause extensive environmental damage, in addition to threats to local agriculture, an opinion was drawn up at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for the purpose of jointly handling the incident.
According to the opinion of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, extermination and extinction of this species is difficult, if not impossible. In light of this, and in accordance with the opinion, the plant protection services at the Ministry of Agriculture carried out a preventive pest control treatment using gas, which prevents the possibility of this pest from leaking into Israel, and an order was given to return the container with all its contents to China.
Dr. Eric Shamai, Director of the Plant Quarantine Division at the Plant Protection Services, Ministry of Agriculture: “Plant protection inspectors are deployed at all ports of entry into Israel, and for good reason. Their job is to ensure that every shipment, commercial or private, of plant materials is free of pests, diseases and soil residues, and does not constitute an invasive species that could damage biological diversity and natural values. I am proud and happy that together with Ministry of Environmental Protection, we managed to prevent another case with such a potentially devastating potential. In this way, we maintain Israeli food security, and work for the continued prosperity of Israel’s nature and landscape.”
Dr. Gal Zagron, Director of the Pest and Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Environmental Protection: “In any situation, it is better to preempt a cure for a blow, also in the health of the environment. Preventing the penetration of the Argentine ant has saved the lives of millions of local ants. Along with the climate crisis, we are in the midst of an ecological crisis – animals are disappearing without us feeling it, especially insects that are important to one health, ours and of the environment. The ants contribute to the health of the world in which we live in ways that most of us are not at all familiar with. For example, the harvest ports have a significant effect on the fertility of the soil and the vegetation, and are an interface tool for the restoration of damaged areas. The cooperation of the ministry with the plant protection services in the Ministry of Agriculture led to the prevention of its entry of this invasive species and to protect the environment. We will continue to work to prevent the entry of invasive species into Israel with the cooperation of all relevant parties.”