Latest news with #IreneSantos
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Brits told to 'remain vigilant' as one of world's most invasive ants found in Spanish tourist hotspot
One of the world's most invasive species of ants has been discovered in Spain. The harmful bug, known as the electric ant, was found in the Tenerife town of Los Cristianos at a golf complex, by entomologists Antonio Pérez and Irene Santos from the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology. According to Canarian Weekly, local authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant following the ant's discovery, as it remains unclear how it arrived in the tourist hotspot. The little fire ant, which is also known as the electric ant, originates from South American countries but has spread across the world, including to France, Israel and now Spain. Its sting can cause painful reactions, which in some cases can be severe in both humans and animals. Following the discovery, the Government of the Canary Islands launched a containment strategy in a bid to eradicate the ant. While it poses a risk to humans, the ant can also devastate wildlife by displacing native species. Los Cristianos is the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, and is a water sports hub, famous for its wide promenade. Local authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant following the ant's discovery, as it remains unclear how it arrived in Tenerife Meanwhile, Brits also travelling to Spain were recently warned after a deadly virus that can cause multiple organ failure was detected in the country. The Foreign Office issued the alert on its dedicated website Travel Health Pro after a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was found in Salamanca. In an official statement, it said: 'On 28 May 2025, local health officials have reported a confirmed case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Salamanca. 'The case was exposed via a tick bite.' CCHF is a tick-borne virus, with mild symptoms such as dizziness, high fever, headache, sore eyes, diarrhoea and muscle pain. However, more severe effects include bleeding and bruising and can lead to rapid kidney deterioration well as organ failure.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
'Harmful' bug discovered in Tenerife as tourists told to 'remain vigilant'
The 'invasive' bugs have been found in a popular tourist town on the island. Holidaymakers visiting Tenerife are being warned to 'stay vigilant' after a 'harmful' bug was discovered in a popular tourist resort. Holidaymakers should be on alert for any signs of the bug, which experts have described as invasive, as it deliver painful stings. The little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) has been discovered in Los Cristianos, a popular coastal town that is visited by thousands of Brits every month. The pests, also known as electric ants, can have a harmful impact on both local ecosystems and human activities. They have been known to blind animals and decimate entire native ecosystems. Entomologists Antonio Pérez and Irene Santos from the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology confirmed the fire ants' presence on the Canary Island. The tiny creatures are just 1.5 millimetres long, however their bites can be very sore, especially when they attack together. According to experts, they can also significantly destroy the local environment and are know for building supercolonies, which can travel for hundreds of kilometres, according to the Express. The highly invasive species was discovered near a complex on the edge of a golf course in Los Cristianos, which sparked "immediate containment" efforts by the government, reports the Canarian Weekly. It is suspected that the ants, which are native to Central and South America, arrived on the Canary Island via imported plants. However, this has yet to be confirmed. Local media reports the archipelago's government has initiated measures to determine the extent of the infestation and is laying down the groundwork for possible eradication. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Residents and tourists in the local area have been urged to "remain vigilant" and report any unusual ant activity to their local authority. The little fire ant is a light or golden brown colour. They earned their name due to their painful sting relative to their size, which is so venomous that it can subdue large insects and vertebrate prey. They consume other infections, decaying vegetation, seeds and plants. They are an invasive species that has now spread to parts of Africa, including Gabon and Cameroon, Taiwan, Israel, Hawaii and New Caledonia. They tend to colonise areas associated with humans in warmer regions, including forest edges, agricultural fields, and plantations. It prefers moist conditions, forming colonies on the ground and in trees and is native to Central and South America. The bugs were accidentally introduced as hitchhikers on imported plants. Their bite has been linked to corneal clouding and blindness in pets and in the Galapagos, as ants attack tortoise hatchlings and sting the eyes of adult tortoises. They also infest bee hives, preying on the larvae and eventually destroy the hive. Large infestations are believed to be difficult and expensive to control. A 2022 study estimated that global efforts to control this species have already cost more than $7 billion.
