http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090224/tuhome.htm

By PETERSON TSERAHA

AN army of ants from Solomon Islands have invaded Papua New Guinea and are threatening to wipe out the economy in at least one part of the
country.
A report from Bougainville says the ants from across the border in the Solomon Islands are destructive to plants and human beings.
The ants were brought over during the Bougainville crisis when there was no quarantine service.
The ants from Solomon Islands are attacking and killing off the local PNG ants, vegetables and cash crops.
A worried cocoa farmer on Buka Island, Aloysius Sammy, said the ants were also attacking people and the victims were developing swollen
bodies from the ant bites.
The ants were found in decaying biscuits and other food items on cargo storage compartments on banana boats.
Mr Sammy, who owns a two hectare cocoa block, said half of his crop had been destroyed by the ants. He said in south and central
Bougainville, there were no longer any signs of Papua New Guinea ants.
Mr Sammy said he placed some PNG tree ants on his cocoa trees and in just five seconds they were attacked by Solomon ants.
“This is a very serious problem and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, especially the Department of Primary Industry (DPI) and
Agriculture, should do some serious research on how to get rid of these ants,” Mr Sammy said.
With the absence of mining on Bougainville the economy was predominantly agriculture-based, which meant cash crops like copra and cocoa
were the ones driving the economy.
“And without control, the Solomon Islands ants are destroying cash crops,’’ the farmer said.
“I have approached certain people in the DPI division and reported this case but my case has fallen on deaf ears.” Mr Sammy also said when
a border post was set up, every boat whether traditional border crossers or not, must still be quarantined and customs checks should be
enforced.
A lot of ants have also been brought into Bougainville by plant hunters or collectors, especially for flowers like roses and orchids from
Solomon Islands, which are regarded as some of the most beautiful and rare in the world.
A lot of Bougainvilleans are appealing to the Government to do something before cash crops are wiped out in Bougainville.