Monique Barbut faces the electric ant

By Patrick Martinelli

On this occasion, the minister visited the gardens of the Domaine du Rayol to exchange with the domain's scientific teams and actors committed to protecting Mediterranean flora and biodiversity. "This visit by the Minister for Ecological Transition was an opportunity to recall the strong partnership between the Région Sud and the Domaine du Rayol. Indeed, we place the environment at the heart of our public policies: biodiversity, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, Mediterranean Sea, etc.," recalled François de Canson, vice-president of the Région Sud. During her visit, the minister expressed concern over the fight against the electric ant, a particularly aggressive invasive alien species. Thus, she supervised the first trials of a dusting treatment technique. This method, authorized by a ministerial decree, aims to more effectively eradicate the outbreaks of this species which has been proliferating in the department since its first detection in 2022.

3 OUTBREAKS IN THE VAR

The Var is on the front line of this invasion. The first outbreak, described as historical, was identified in Toulon in 2022 following reports of stings dating back to 2019. It is currently estimated at around four hectares. A second outbreak was discovered in 2024 in La Croix-Valmer, covering nearly three hectares. More recently, in March 2026, a third outbreak was detected in Cavalaire-sur-Mer. Genetic analyses revealed that the clone present in the Var is identical to the one recently found in Cyprus and Israel, raising the crucial question of introduction pathways, probably linked to the transport of plants or soil. The State's strategy is divided into several areas. First, it involves continuing treatments on the historical outbreak in Toulon with the goal of total eradication. Next, action must be taken on the new outbreaks in La Croix-Valmer and Cavalaire-sur-Mer. This involves mapping infested areas, coordinating with owners, massive treatment campaigns, and preventive measures to avoid spread, notably through green waste management. This effort is supported by State funding amounting to ——— €440,000.