Life has almost stopped in seven Indian villages, overrun by hordes of “crazy ants”, classified as one of the most dangerous invading creatures, following they attacked almost everything in them, destroying crops and killing livestock, forcing the population to leave, according to what the BBC published.
The affected villages are located in the state of Tamil Nadu, where most of their residents are farmers or livestock owners, who were attacked by predatory insects, causing them to go blind and later devouring agricultural crops, their only source of livelihood.
Villagers said they had seen these ants in the forest for the past few years. But this is the first time that it has appeared in large numbers in the villages, causing the natural life to stop in those villages, as farmers confirmed that they cannot currently graze and farm. The infestation of ants also forced the cattle herders who lived near the forest to evacuate their villages.
“As soon as we get close to the forest, the ants climb up on us, causing skin irritation and blisters,” said Selvam, the 55-year-old farmer. We can’t even carry water to drink because it’s crowding there too. We don’t know what to do.”
“Since my house was full of these ants, I left and came to the village, we are unable to control them, and their numbers are constantly increasing,” said Jamal, who attacked his goats.
The scientific name of this ant is “Annopolipis grassilipis”, and its movement is characterized by randomness. It is usually found in the tropics. It is classified, according to the International Union for Nature, among the most dangerous types of invasive creatures. It does not bite or sting, but rather sprays formic acid, which causes harmful reactions.
Experts warn that these ants multiply rapidly and can cause significant damage to wildlife. Many regions in Australia have reported the infestation of this type of ants.
Dr. Brunoy Paedia, an entomologist, said the creatures were “opportunists”. “She doesn’t have any favorite foods,” he added. She eats anything and everything.” He also said that they feed on other types of ants, bees and wasps, and villagers claimed that their livestock, even snakes and rabbits, died following being attacked by the ants.
Paedia said the formic acid sprayed by the ants may have affected the animals’ eyes. The acid may cause allergic reactions in humans, but it is not life-threatening.
Paedia confirmed that when the ants invaded the Australian Christmas Island, they expelled the original ants, and killed millions of red crabs on the island.
“It feeds on a milk-like substance produced by aphids, which is not good for crops,” says Dr. Priyadarshan Dharmarajan, an entomologist. Dharmarajan believes that the problem will be exacerbated by high temperatures, and continued, “When the environmental temperature rises, his metabolic rate increases as well, which makes him eat more. This might be a reason.”
