The Trichomyrmex Destructor ant arrives in the Balearic Islands: "It's a dangerous invasive species."

PalmThe invasive ant Trichomyrmex Destructor It was first detected in the Balearic Islands, specifically in a building in Palma, according to Anticimex. In a statement, they emphasized that it is a "quite harmful invasive species that destroys materials and bites people, which is why it is essential to take extreme precautions and contact pest control experts to prevent its spread," they noted.

Experts from this company, in collaboration with the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF-UAB), have confirmed the expansion of the so-called Singapore ant in the Islands, after being detected for the first time in the port of Barcelona in 2005. Subsequently, in 2007, in 2019 in Malaga, and in Marbella a year later.

According to Anticimex, this invasive species is spreading thanks to the transport of goods and is included in the group of the most harmful ants due to its impact on the natural, agricultural, and urban environments. Its presence in homes has a significant impact, as, in addition to attacking food, it also attacks people and damages materials such as fabrics and electrical cable sheathing, among others.

This species is characterized by having workers of highly variable size (from 1.8 to 3.5 millimeters) and is distinguished from other species by having a transverse striation on the top of its head.

As explained by the urban pest control expert at Anticimex and author of the scientific note with the first record of the ant Trichomyrmex Destructor In Palma, Carlos Pradera, this recent discovery in Mallorca confirms the expansion of the Singapore ant in the Balearic Islands, after its detection in Spain 20 years ago.

This discovery confirms the existence of 16 species of exotic ants in the Balearic Islands, some of which—like the Singapore ant—are included in the Spanish catalog of invasive exotic species.