Joaquín L. Reyes-López
Full professor of Ecology at the University of Cordoba
The data is clear, convincing and supported by audiovisual material. The great novelty of this research is to confirm the presence of an invasive species that poses a global threat. In areas favourable to their settlement, such as coasts or wetlands, they can cause serious damage to local ecosystems. In addition, they constitute a serious health problem for humans due to their stings.
As regards control of the invasion, the experiments carried out in the USA and Australia have not slowed down its expansion. Biological control is currently being experimented with, looking for natural enemies, such as parasitic flies (Phoridae), among others, to control their populations.
Finally, this species is included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Species and its file can be consulted at the Ministry.