<P> Red imported fire ants are among the worst invasive species in the world . Some scientists consider the red imported fire ant to be a "disturbance specialist"; human disturbance to the environment may be a major factor behind the ants' impact (fire ants tend to favour disturbed areas). This is shown through one experiment, demonstrating that mowing and plowing in studied areas diminished the diversity and abundance of native ant species, whereas red imported fire ants found on undisturbed forest plots had only diminished a couple of species . </P> <P> In the United States, the red imported fire ant first arrived in the seaport of Mobile, Alabama, by cargo ship between 1933 and 1945 . Arriving with an estimated 9 to 20 unrelated queens, the red imported fire ant was only rare at the time, as entomologists were unable to collect any specimens (with the earliest observations first made in 1942, preceded by a population expansion in 1937); the population of these ants exploded by the 1950s . Since its introduction to the United States, the red imported fire ant has spread throughout the southern states and northeastern Mexico, negatively affecting wildlife and causing economic damage . The expansion of red imported fire ants may be limited since they are almost wiped out during Tennessee winters, thus they may be reaching their northernmost range . However, global warming may allow the red imported fire ant to expand its geographical range . As of 2004, the ant is found in 13 states and occupies over 128 million hectares of land, and as many as 400 mounds can be found on a single acre of land . The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that they expand 193 km (120 mi) per year . </P> <P> Red imported fire ants were first discovered in Queensland, Australia, in 2001 . The ants were believed to be present in shipping containers arriving at the Port of Brisbane, most likely from North America . Anecdotal evidence suggests fire ants may have been present in Australia for six to eight years prior to formal identification . The potential damage from the red imported fire ant prompted the Australian government to respond rapidly . A joint state and federal funding of A $175 million was granted for a six - year eradication programme . Following years of eradication, eradication rates of greater than 99% from previously infested properties were reported . The program received extended Commonwealth funding of around A $10 million for at least another two years to treat the residual infestations found most recently . In December 2014, a nest was identified at Port Botany, Sydney, in New South Wales . The port was quarantined, and a removal operation took place . In September 2015, populations originating from the United States were found at a Brisbane airport . </P> <P> Red imported fire ants have spread beyond North America . The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) reports the ant inhabiting from three of the Cayman Islands . However, the sources the ISSG cited give no report about them on the island, but recent collections indicate that they are present . In 2001, red imported fire ants were discovered in New Zealand, but they were successfully eradicated several years later . Red imported fire ants have been reported in India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore . However, these reports were found to be incorrect as the ants collected there were incorrectly identified as the red imported fire ant . In Singapore, the ants were most likely misidentified as well . In India, surveyed ants in Sattur Taluk, India listed the red imported fire ant there in high populations; meanwhile, no reports of the ant were made outside the surveyed area . In 2016, scientists state that despite no presence of the ant in India, the red imported fire ant will more than likely find suitable habitats within India's ecosystem if given the opportunity . The reports in the Philippines most likely misidentified collected material as the red imported fire ant, as no populations have been found there . It was discovered in Hong Kong and mainland China in 2004, where they have spread into several provinces as well as Macau and Taiwan . No geographic or climatic barriers prevent these ants from spreading further, thus it may spread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia . In Europe, a single nest was found in the Netherlands in 2002 . </P>

When was the fire ant introduced to australia
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