Wet Tropics Management releases AntZone app to track invasive species

A new and interactive online tool aims to alleviate the confusion between the different types of invasive ants found in Far North Queensland and explain what to do if you are in an ant zone.

The orange-shaded shapes in this map depict the treatment areas for yellow crazy ants in the Cairns and Kuranda area. Image: Wet Tropics

A new and interactive online tool aims to alleviate the confusion between the different types of invasive ants found in Far North Queensland and explain what to do if you are in an ant zone.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority and Biosecurity Queensland have launched a collaborative initiative called AntZone which can be accessed anytime or anywhere by a smartphone.

AntZone is a user-friendly online map showing where

Cairns and Northern Beaches. The interactive map displays a yellow shaded overlay for yellow crazy ant zones and a red shaded overlay for electric ant zones. Source AntZone

yellow crazy ant and electric ant infestations are found across the region.

The Authority’s eradication program senior technical officer Gareth Humphreys said the app aimed to clear up confusion around where invasive ant species like the yellow crazy ant and electric ant are, who is responsible managing them, and what people’s responsibilities are if they have them on their properties.

Wet Tropics Management Authority previously discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. Picture: Alan Henderson

“The idea of this product is it gives everyone the chance to look up where they are and it will give them information about what they need to do and what their responsibilities are,” he said.

“It also gives people the ability to report any suspected ants.”

Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. The Authority’s Eradication Program Senior Technical Officer Gareth Humphreys.

People can use AntZone to look up a particular address to learn about the type of ant infestation in their selected area and which program is managing the infestation.

The interactive map displays a yellow shaded overlay for yellow crazy ant zones and a red shaded overlay for electric ant zones.

Cairns South. The interactive map displays a yellow shaded overlay for yellow crazy ant zones and a red shaded overlay for electric ant zones. Source AntZone

National Electric Ant Eradication Program principal project officer Robert Ibell said AntZone was a great example of using technology to provide fast and accurate information.

Field officer Jay Edwards and field supervisor Lachlan O'Brian work on the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“It is so important people visiting, working or living in infestation areas are aware of them, and the movement restrictions that apply in those areas,” Mr Ibell said.

“AntZone is a user-friendly way of acquiring this information quickly and easily. Biosecurity Queensland welcome this terrific initiative.”

Wet Tropics Management Authority Field supervisor Jules Seabright and Field Coordinator Alishamay Chateris present the new AntZone App. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

Both species of invasive ants can devastate the environment, affect biodiversity and agriculture, and impact residents’ livelihood and enjoyment of the region.

Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program manager Lucy Karger said the goal was for AntZone to become the go-to awareness resource for Far North Queenslanders.

Port Douglas and surrounds. The interactive map displays a yellow shaded overlay for yellow crazy ant zones and a red shaded overlay for electric ant zones. Source AntZone

“Community awareness will also help reduce the spread of these ants through human-assisted movement, which is the number one cause of new infestations.”

She said AntZone stickers and magnets would be distributed to homes and businesses across the region.

Originally published as Wet Tropics Management releases AntZone app to track invasive species