[Pint of Science] Ants, half-angel, half-demon... by Romane BLAYA and Olivier BLIGHT (IMBE)

Location: Le Gambrinus, 62 Rue Carreterie
84000, Avignon

Arthur and the Minimoys had better watch out, because during this evening, you'll be travelling alongside the ants who do the planet a great service, but who can also turn an entire ecosystem upside down.

Ants on the tails

Romane BLAYA (Doctoral student at theIMBE)

If you were told that there are 16,000 species worldwide and that they can be found on every continent (except Antarctica), what would you think of? Ants, perhaps? These tiny, barely distinguishable insects play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems, helping to form the soil and move seeds around. They are even used in conservation projects, and could play a key role in better understanding and monitoring the changes that ecosystems are undergoing in the current context of global change.

Ants, front side

Olivier BLIGHT (Senior Lecturer at theIMBE)

The Argentine ant's name is an invitation to travel, but its presence outside South America can have a significant impact. In fact, almost 200 species like this one have been introduced into Europe. Some, like the electric ant and the fire ant, are already having an ecological, economic and/or health impact. During this evening's event, come and find out more about the laboratory's work to better understand the success of these introductions, to identify the 'travel routes' of these ants and to improve the legislative tools to avoid or reduce their impact.

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