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'Harmful' bug chaos in Tenerife as tourists face 'growing threat' in SpainThe little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), known for its harmful impact on both local ecosystems and human

activities, has been discovered in Los Cristianos, a popular coastal townCommentsJames Rodger Content Editor15:28, 05 Jun 2025The fire ant is known for its harmful impact on both local

ecosystems and human activities(Image: undefined via Getty Images) UK holidaymakers jetting off to the Spanish island of Tenerife are being warned of a "growing threat" as authorities

scramble to contain the spread of a "harmful" insect. The little fire ant, known for its devastating impact on local ecosystems and human activities, has been discovered in the popular

coastal town of Los Cristianos.

Entomologists Antonio Pérez and Irene Santos from the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology, in collaboration with experts from the University of La Laguna, made the alarming

discovery, which has been published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. The little fire ant, listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the most damaging

invasive ant species globally, has also been identified as a species of concern by the European Union.

‌ This tiny, uniform yellow-red to light brown ant, measuring just 1.5 mm in length, thrives in moist conditions, forming colonies on the ground and in trees. Native to Central and South

America, the little fire ant is believed to have been accidentally introduced to Tenerife through imported plants. As local authorities take swift action to contain the spread, tourists and

residents alike are being warned of the potential risks posed by this invasive species.

‌The fire ant is known for its harmful impact on both local ecosystems and human activities(Image: undefined via Getty Images) However, it has been associated with corneal clouding and

blindness in pets and in the Galapagos, ants assault tortoise hatchlings and sting the eyes of adult tortoises. They also invade bee hives, preying on the larvae and ultimately decimating

the hive, reports Birmingham Live.

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It has been cautioned that large infestations are challenging and costly to manage. Its sting induces painful, and in some instances severe, reactions in both humans and animals. A study

conducted in 2022 estimated that worldwide attempts to control this species have already exceeded $7 billion.