Invasive ants found at protest site

Mauna Kea protesters who want to stop the Thirty Meter Telescope apparently brought with them a potentially destructive force of a different kind — invasive ants.

As part of its duties, the Office of Mauna Kea Management monitors for invasive species around the Hawaii island summit, including on deliveries of equipment for existing telescopes and astronomy, said Fritz Klasner, natural resource program manager.

During a cursory survey of the protest area around April 16, ants that are common at lower elevations but haven’t gained a foothold on Mauna Kea’s heights were discovered in a pile of palms that was being used to thatch a hale across from the visitor information station at about 9,400 feet, Klasner said.

Klasner said six of the little black critters known as Ochetellus glaber were collected and others were observed.

"We’re concerned about the ecosystem, and we’re following through with the mandate of the state to have an invasive species management plan," Klasner said.

"Clearly, those protesting astronomy have the best of intentions when it comes to the environment, but there’s always a threat, and it comes in many different subtle and unexpected ways," he added.

The Office of Mauna Kea Management is the primary agency responsible for managing the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, and was created as a result of a master plan adopted by the University of Hawaii board of regents in 2000.

Shortly after the ants were discovered, the Mauna Kea management office "stepped out of the situation and reported it" to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Klasner said.

"We’ve done some work surveys and haven’t found any more in the area, so hopefully it’s just limited to that one area," he said.

A DLNR spokeswoman couldn’t be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Klasner said no ants are native to Hawaii. Haleakala National Park on Maui has Argentine ants, he said. The insects can be predatory if they become established, Klasner said.

"Eventually, that just not only wipes out the (other) insects, but the native plant pollinators. You lose birds, you could lose plants," he said.

Of particular concern is the wekiu bug that’s endemic to the upper reaches of Mauna Kea, Klasner said.

He said Mauna Kea is somewhat unique in that it is free of ants.

"Most everywhere else in the state, ants have become established," he said.

The best way to move ants around is in vegetation, "and given the activities that are up there (on Mauna Kea), bringing up perfectly clean mirrors and astronomy equipment is not the kind of stuff that’s going to be a good habitat for an ant," Klasner said.