Jul 11 (NHK) - A venomous fire ant was recently found in a warehouse in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. It is the first time to find the poisonous insect other than at shipping ports.
refectural authorities say the ant was found last Thursday when a cargo container was unloaded. Environment Ministry inspectors have confirmed the insect as highly poisonous fire ant originally from South America.
The container was unloaded at Nagoya Port on June 30th after traveling from China's Nansha Port via Hong Kong.
Officials are warning nearby residents to be on the lookout for the insect. They also ask firms handling containers to take thorough measures to prevent an influx of the alien species.
The local government says 8 more ants were found inside the container during an inspection after it was returned to Nagoya Port.
Source: ANNnewsCH