At 09:31 16/03/03 +0000, you wrote: > >Arnold: > They are. Most useful images, most useful. Here they are distributed >by fire ants (the ones that are a pest in the States). Another reason to Alberto, Unfortunately the Fire Ants are becoming a pest here in Australia as well. They have got past quarantine probably in the hold of a ship docking in Southern Queensland, and there have been numerous nests found. They are trying to eradicate them now before they get too far out of control, but it will be a difficult task. Another pest any is the Yellow Crazy Ant which has wiped out huge lumps of the populations of the indigenous red crabs on Christmas Island by forming massive super-colonies on areas of the island and killing everything that comes into their territory. Thankfully they have been brought down in numbers drastically in the last year or so and there are hopes to eradicate them there entirely. Recently there were around 50 nests discovered in Northern Australia which has caused a stir. They'll try to eradicate them as quickly as possible to prevent them doing to Kakadu National Park what they did to areas of Christmas Island. I guess the fact they spread bugs around as well is another good reason to get rid of them here <grin>. Cheers. Paul Tyerman Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9 mailto:ptyerman@ozemail.com.au Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Cyclamen, Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!