Hualien County has launched a new program to contain an invasive red fire ant species, which has spread in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Kompasu in October last year, the county’s Department of Agriculture said yesterday.
As of January, red fire ant colonies have been sighted in the townships of Fonglin (鳳林), Guangfu (光復), Rueisui (瑞穗) and Sincheng (新城), the department said in a news release, citing information from the National Red Imported Fire Ant Control Center.
Measuring about 2mm to 6mm, red fire ants have a red-brown head and thorax, and a dark brown abdomen, the department said, adding that they