By KAI ICHINO/ Staff Writer
July 13, 2023 at 18:32 JST
One of the little fire ants discovered at Mizushima Port in Okayama Prefecture (Provided by the Environment Ministry)
Venomous little fire ants were discovered at the container terminal of a port in Okayama Prefecture, according to the Environment Ministry.
Around 30 little fire ants were found on July 3 in and around a cargo container at Mizushima Port, the ministry announced on July 12.
The invasive alien species has not been spotted in Japan since 2014, when quarantine officials at Narita Airport found and eliminated the pests that were brought along with imported plants.
Although they are only 1 to 2 millimeters long, a sting from a little fire ant can cause acute pain and a blister.
Native to Central and South America, the species has spread to other parts of the world, including Africa and the Pacific islands.
The ants reproduce quickly and are hard to eradicate once they are established in an environment.
The container came from the Manila North Harbor via Kobe Port in Japan. No little fire ants were discovered at Kobe Port.
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