Experts in Kenya are sounding the alarm over the growing threat of insect trafficking, particularly the removal of ant species from their natural habitats. This alarming trend, involving the illegal export of insects, could lead to severe ecological consequences, warns entomologist Shadrack Muya, a senior lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Muya, a specialist in insect biology, explained that ants play a critical role in ecosystems by aerating soils, enhancing soil fertility, and dispersing seeds. Removing ants from their native environments could disrupt these vital ecological functions, potentially triggering an ecological disaster. “The survival of these species in foreign environments is uncertain, and without proper adaptation support, they may not thrive,” Muya stated, urging caution.
This warning comes after the arrest of two Belgian teenagers, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, in Nakuru County, Kenya, in April 2025. The teens were caught with 5,000 ants, which they intended to export to European and Asian markets. The species in question, Messor cephalotes, is a large, red-colored harvester ant native to East Africa, and it is considered highly valuable on the black market.
Despite their claims of acting innocently and treating the collection of ants as a hobby, the teenagers were charged under Kenya’s wildlife conservation laws. They were given the option of paying a hefty fine of $7,700 or serving a 12-month prison sentence. Magistrate Njeri Thuku ruled that the teenagers’ actions were not trivial, noting that they had collected thousands of ants, not just a few.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) condemned the trafficking of ants, stating that it undermines Kenya’s sovereignty over its biodiversity and deprives local communities and research institutions of ecological and economic benefits. The KWS also emphasized that such illegal activities contribute to the loss of essential species that are vital for local ecosystems.
In a related case, Duh Hung Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, and Dennis Ng’ang’a, a Kenyan citizen, were also fined $7,700 each after they were caught attempting to illegally export 400 ants. Nguyen claimed he was tasked with collecting the ants for an unspecified third party, while Ng’ang’a stated that he was unaware of the illegal nature of the trade.
The escalating trend of insect trafficking is raising alarms among environmentalists and law enforcement agencies alike. Experts warn that if left unchecked, such activities could have irreversible impacts on local ecosystems and biodiversity.