'Raspberry crazy ants' becoming problem

DALLAS (AP) - A species of ant that has ruined sewage pumps, fouled computers and made it hard for homeowners to enjoy their yards has a new target: the honeybee.

The range of the so-called "rasberry crazy ant" has more than doubled in the past year. Scientists said that is creating a swath in 11 counties from Houston moving north.

Given its encroachment on livestock, hay bales and a few honeybee farms, some are trying to classify the ant as an agricultural pest that must soon be stopped.

The Texas Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund in-depth research on the rasberry crazy ant, but only if it gets the pest classification. And to do that, state officials said more research must be done.

The ants are called crazy because they wander erratically instead of marching in regimented lines.

Although they eat stinging fire ants, they also feed on beneficial insects such as ladybugs and honeybees. Those honeybees are needed to pollinate crops.

Steve Coplin is a fourth-generation commercial beekeeper in Alvin, about 30 miles south of Houston. He said the ants began attacking his beehives nearly three years ago and is losing about 100 hives to the ants each year.