Red fire ant colonies found in Italy and could spread across Europe, says study

An invasive non-native ant species has become established in Italy and could rapidly spread through Europe to the UK with global heating, a study warns. The red fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, has a powerful sting, damages crops and can infest electrical equipment including cars and computers. The ant, considered one of the most destructive invasive species, can rapidly form "super colonies" with multiple queens. The colonies prey on invertebrates, larger vertebrates and plants, destroying native plants and out-competing native ants, insects and herbivores for food. The red fire ant is the fifth most costly invasive species in the world, spreading…