• Entomological Research
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.505-513
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• 2018

The red imported fire ant is considered one of the most notorious invasive species because of its adverse impact on both humans and ecosystems. Public concern regarding red imported fire ants has been increasing, as they have been found seven times in South Korea. Even if red imported fire ants are not yet colonized in South Korea, a proper quarantine plan is necessary to prevent their widespread distribution. As a basis for quarantine planning, we modeled the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under current climate conditions using six different species distribution models (SDMs) and then selected the random forest (RF) model for modeling the potential distribution under climate change. We acquired occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and bioclimatic data from WorldClim. We modeled at the global scale to project the potential distribution under the current climate and then applied models at the local scale to project the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under climate change. Modeled results successfully represent the current distribution of red imported fire ants. The potential distribution area for red imported fire ants increased to include major harbors and airports in South Korea under the climate change scenario (RCP 8.5). Thus, we are able to provide a potential distribution of red imported fire ant that is necessary to establish a proper quarantine plan for their management to minimize adverse impacts of climate change.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.73-76
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• 2022

Most of ants seem to be beneficial, whereas some of them are annoying or harmful. Among harmful creatures red imported fire ants have been notorious for not only destroying farm plants and domestic animals but also biting and killing human beings. The red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren and Solenopsis richiteri Forel, will feed on the buds and fruits of numerous crop plants. Large nests located in fields interfere with and damage equipment during cultivation and harvesting. They respond rapidly and aggressively to disturbances, and ant attacks inhibit field worker activities. A single fire can sting its target repeatedly. Young and newborn animals as well as humans are especially susceptible to the stings' venom. These pests can damage the environment by displacing native ant species and reducing food sources for wildlife. In Korea Solenopsis invicta Buren were found for the first time in Busan Gamman port in 2017. Then they were found in Incheon port, Pyongtaek port, North Daegu, Ansan in 2018 and Gwangyang in 2021. Once they invaded and occupied the terrestrial area, we have no proper solution to prevent them. I can assume that they have been successfully enlarging their colonies toward inland since they can move freely by flight. Therefore, I strongly suggest that we need to study ants in order not only to control harmful ants properly but also to preserve and use beneficial ants in this country.

• 환경생물
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.335-340
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• 2022

2017년 9월 부산 감만부두에서 국내 최초로 붉은불개미(Solenopsis invicta)가 검출된 이후, 농림축산검역본부에서는 외래개미류의 유입가능성이 높은 지역에 대해 주기적 예찰을 수행하고 있다. 그러나 현재 사용 중인 개미류 예찰용 트랩들은 개미가 들어갔다가 다시 쉽게 빠져나오거나, 토양이 없는 단단한 바닥 환경에서는 설치하기가 어려운 단점이 있다. 이를 해결하기 위해 다단협관을 이용하여 탈출이 어렵고, 콘크리트 같은 곳에서도 쉽게 설치가 가능한 신형 트랩을 개발하게 되었다. 신형 트랩은 함정트랩에 비해 4배 이상의 개미류 포획효과를 가지고 있으며, 포획된 개미들의 재탈출을 효과적으로 차단하는 것을 확인하였다. 새로 개발된 트랩을 통해 외래개미류의 국내 침입을 효과적으로 차단하기를 기대한다.