Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Red imported fire ants
aren’t in HawaiiQuestion: In an Oct. 21, 1999, Star-Bulletin article, fire ants that were found in Hawaii were described as being only 116 of an inch long and were not the red imported fire ant. Can you tell me what the difference is between the stinging tropical fire ant and the red imported fire ant? I have come across ants in my neighborhood that are red-orange, a lot bigger than 116 inch, and whose stings many would not call "pretty mild." They leave welts that can stay for over a week.
Answer: As far as state agriculture experts know, the red imported fire ant that is plaguing parts of the mainland has not yet reached Hawaii. That is the only ant known to be a threat to people and wildlife.
But if you suspect these dangerous ants are here, contact the state Department of Agriculture, either the pest hot line at 586-PEST (7378) or the plant pest control branch at 973-9530.
Based on your description, your ants are probably tropical fire ants or another of the ants already here, said ant expert Neil Reimer, manager of the state plant quarantine branch.
People have different reactions to insect stings, ranging from severe to no reaction. "So, just based on the symptoms, it's hard to say," Reimer said.
It's also hard to describe the physical differences between the ants for the public because they are very similar, he said.
The red ants found along the dryer coastal areas of Oahu, such as Waikiki or the Waianae Coast, are similar to red imported fire ants, which are116- to 1/4-inch in size, but the latter is far more aggressive and forms mounds, Reimer said. If you disturb a mound, hundreds or thousands of the ants would swarm and sting you at one time, he said.
No known ant in Hawaii forms mounds.
"But whenever the public has reports like (yours), we'd appreciate if they contact us and we can follow up on it," Reimer said. "We'd want to catch them early, before they become too widespread."
Red imported fire ants, which are believed to have come to the United States aboard cargo ships in the 1930s from South America, have spread throughout the southern United States, as well as in California and New Mexico. Because they're attracted to irrigated areas like parks, "people essentially cannot use their parks and back yards," Reimer said.
Some human deaths have been attributed to them, and they also are a threat to pets and wildlife, as well as to agriculture crops. They also are attracted to electrical currents and cause problems when they make their way into electrical boxes.
Q: We attended the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day and were upset to see a torn American flag flying. This was on national TV. I am trying to get the stadium to replace the flag before Sunday's Pro Bowl. Can you help?
A: Thanks for bringing the matter to the attention of stadium officials.
After we conveyed your concerns, Aloha Stadium operations manager Scott Chan responded immediately, saying the flag would be replaced before Sunday's game. He said he was not aware of the condition of the flag, which normally is handled by security personnel.
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