According to Yonhap News on June 9, the first sighting of the red imported fire ant occurred on June 5 at the Shinhan Container Terminal's yard in Incheon, where 10 ants were found. Following this, quarantine officials set up a barrier in the area and conducted a thorough inspection of the entire dock.
The investigation revealed an additional 210 red imported fire ants, including larvae, worker ants, and soldier ants, bringing the total number of identified ants to 220.
To prevent further spread, quarantine authorities have installed over 1,000 ant traps in the vicinity and completed disinfection of containers within a 50-meter radius of the discovery site. They have also begun targeted control measures, including injecting pesticides into the surrounding soil.
The red imported fire ant is listed among the "100 Worst Invasive Alien Species" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its sting can cause severe pain and itching, and in some individuals, symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, and anaphylactic shock may occur.
Since 2018, red imported fire ants have been discovered at Incheon Port more than ten times. Quarantine authorities suspect that this latest infestation likely originated from imported containers arriving from overseas and are investigating the precise route of entry.
A representative from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency stated, "As with previous cases, we believe this infestation is likely due to overseas entry. We are conducting an epidemiological investigation to confirm the specific route of entry."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.