Invasive bee feared as next cane toad

A SPECIES of bee, regarded as the cane toad of the insect world, has invaded Australia and may seriously disrupt the nation's farming industry.

Dam fences dry up toads

Restricting water access to cane toads could be the most effective way to reduce their spread, a study has found. A team led by a Sydney ecologist, Mike Letnic, erected fences around artificial water holes in the Victoria River catchment in the Northern Territory. In three days, toads in the area had been eradicated. Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society: B, Dr Letnic said toads required constant access to surface water: "If you can imagine a fire break, we can make a toad break." Nicky Phillips