The impact and spread of the ‘Asian super
ant’: an alien invasive species in the UK
Invasive alien species are capable of dramatically altering
native ecosystems and even causing other species to go extinct. Invasive
species cost Britain at least 1.7 billion GBP per year through damage and
management costs; the true cost of their impact on biodiversity is likely to be
much higher. The ecologically damaging 'Asian super ant', Lasius neglectus has
recently invaded Europe. Since its arrival in the UK in 2010, no research has
investigated its impact on our native species. This project will investigate
the spread, impact and behaviour of the Asian super ant.
Aims:
1) To assess the
scale of Asian super ant invasion in the UK;
2) To measure impact on native
species;
3) To investigate what behaviours make this ant a successful invader.
This project will be carried out in collaboration with insect conservation
charity Hymettus Ltd. It will involve field surveying and experiments both in
the field and in the laboratory, using cutting-edge radio-tagging technology
(RFID) to identify individual ants. The results of this project will inform
management policy for the control of invasive species and will be beneficial
both academically and to the applied conservation community.
This is a funded position at the University of York. Apply by 31st Jan 2014. For
more information contact Elva Robinson (Elva.Robinson@york.ac.uk)