Gut-sucking cannibals lead invasion of creepy-crawlies

The movements of exotic animals, plants and insects into Britain from as far away as China could be a result of climate change

Britain has become home to a ferocious Mediterranean insect renowned for its
savage lifestyle, which includes sucking the insides out of its prey.

Antlions are usually found in warmer regions of southern Europe, but they have
been discovered at the Holkham National Nature Reserve in north Norfolk.

Their move northwards could be linked to changes in climate — a trend also
noted with a form of ragweed whose pollen is one of the most allergenic from
any plant and which has reached Europe from north America.

The European commission is to launch a £4m project to halt the spread of
Ambrosia artemisiifolia, or annual ragweed, which has caused deaths in parts
of Europe since its arrival.

There are fears that the plant, a form of ragweed that causes an allergic
reaction to about a sixth of people exposed to it, could reach Britain in
the next year or so.