Yellow Crazy Ant is listed as one of the world's worst invasive species because of its dramatic impacts on the environment and agriculture. It is probably native to tropical Africa, but has been spread world-wide by people. This ant represents a very serious environmental and economic threat to northern Australia for many reasons. They occur in extremely high numbers and eliminate many native animal species in areas where they are found. They also cause outbreaks of sap-sucking insects, which can kill plants. This can make them a serous pest of agriculture as well as the natural environment. These ants can also be a serious pest around homes.

Fortunately the eradication programme for Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) in north east Arnhem Land that began in July is progressing well, so it is time for another update, and to introduce the project personnel.

The full-time staff are: Ben Hoffmann (CSIRO), Balupalu Yunupingu (Dhimurru), and Shaun Winunguj (YNOTS). The project will also employ many short-term contract staff as required as the work moves between the various homelands. The staff and vehicles of the Crazy Ant Management Group will be conspicuous in their travels, with a clearly displayed logo of a Yellow Crazy Ant over the Miwatj region on the cars and uniforms. Large signs are also being erected near many of the infestations. The signs are there to inform people of the presence of the ants, not to prevent people from accessing the affected areas. So please be careful not to spread the ants if your travels place you within one of these areas.

Over 3000 locations have now been inspected, resulting in the detection of 94 infestations within a 100 km radius of Nhulunbuy. No infestations have been found in Nhulunbuy or Yirrkala.

One third of the known infestation sites have now been accurately mapped with GPS, and are now due for treatment. This will involve the delivery of a new bait designed specifically for Yellow crazy ant, from a motorised hopper underslung from the Laynhapuy helicopter. This method has already been proven to be highly successful in similar projects at Christmas island and Brisbane.

The bait being used has a very low toxicity which does not affect birds, mammals or reptiles. Few other ants and other invertebrates are known to consume the toxic bait. In most cases, Yellow Crazy Ant has already killed most of the fauna within infested areas, and all others will eventually be killed if nothing is done to control the ant. Trial applications have already shown rapid rehabilitation of native invertebrates following eradication of Yellow Crazy Ant. Monitoring of non-target impacts is also a focus of this eradication project.

The spread of Yellow Crazy Ants requires accidental transport, so it is important to ensure that this does not happen. You can help by being extremely vigilant when transporting anything, especially pot plants, house goods and machinery to ensure that they are not spread to new locations. They readily nest in all kinds of material, from potting mix, to swags and gaps in vehicles, making it very easy for them to be accidentally transported by people.

Everybody is also encouraged to report any suspected sightings of Yellow Crazy Ant. The ant is medium-sized (about 3-4 mm long), yellow, fast-moving ant that is quite distinct from most native ant species. However it can be easily confused with the native Yellow Tyrant ant that is similar in size and colour. The main distinguishing features of Yellow Crazy Ants are: very long antennae and legs, no smell when the ant is crushed, they do not bite when disturbed, and the nests have no mounds of soil.

If you think you have seen this ant, or would like further information, please ring 89872704 or contact Ben Hoffmann on 0418820718, or Balupalu Yunupingu on 0427790391. Information and identification sheets are also available at the Dhimurru office.

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