Fire ants form rafts to survive Queensland flood waters as experts warn of surge

Invasive Species Council says rare rafting behaviour seen on cane farms south of Brisbane

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Fire ants are forming rafts to survive and travel on flood waters in south-east Queensland, with experts warning the wild weather may accelerate the spread of one of the world’s most invasive species.

After storms ravaged the region over Christmas and new year, Reece Pianta of the Invasive Species Council urged the community to be extra vigilant since red imported fire ants (Rifa) were filmed rafting on flood waters.

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