Are you an entomophobe,
fearing an alien insect invasion in your next bunch of foreign
grapes or bananas? If so, we have good news. Not every ant hitchhiker
portends an infestation. According to a study conducted by UCSD
biologists, species that hitchhike have no guarantee of successful
colonization. Of 232 species of uninvited ants that entered U.S.
ports from 1927 to 1985, the scientists found only 28 species,
or 12 percent, established themselves as non-native species.
Andrew Suarez, a former UCSD doctoral student who headed the study,
says the biologists found the alien ants that became established
were either ground-nesting species, or arboreal species that did
not depend solely on specific types
of trees common to their native lands.
“This kind of information is important,” says Suarez, “because
it’s going to
help us to identify the characteristics that may promote the success of non-native organisms. Eventually, we can use this information to keep the new wave
of invaders from becoming established.”
So next time you see a column of ants heading for your picnic,
be sure to check their passports. 
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