Warning as venomous insect imported from China invades US states,
Officials are sounding the alarm as venomous Asian needle ants are invading more parts of the US.
These insects, native to China, have a sting that can trigger severe allergic reactions, and in extreme cases, death.
This invasive species was first spotted in the US more than 90 years ago, but its population has recently surged into at least 20 US states.
Those include Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Washington state and Texas.
The Asian needle ant is a small-to-medium-sized ant, with workers and queens measuring up to one-fifth of an inch in length. They are shiny, dark brown to black, with the end of the antennae and the legs being a lighter orange-brown.
Their stings cause ‘intense pain’ at the site that ‘comes and goes over the course of several hours,’ but some people have also reported pain away from the sting site, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Some people may also experience anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, as a result of an Asian needle ant sting.
These ants prefer damp areas beneath stones or rotting logs, but have also been found in parks, lawns, potted plants, under wood piles and hiding in construction materials such as logs, bricks and pavers.
This invasive species was first spotted in the US more than 90 years ago, but its population has recently surged into at least 20 US states,
These insects, native to China, have a sting that can trigger severe allergic reactions, and in extreme cases, death.
The ant was recently detected in Texas, where Scott Egan, an associate professor of biosciences at Rice University, told Click2Houston: ‘It’s important to be aware of this new invader, but we need to learn more.
‘It is reported that it can be painful, and some people may have an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. That’s something that should be addressed by a medical or veterinary professional.’
While sightings in Texas remain relatively limited, Egan urges residents to stay aware and document any unusual ant activity.
‘Folks in places like North Carolina have dealt with this species for almost a century,’ he said. ‘Here in Texas, we’re just starting to understand how it fits into our local ecosystems.’
This species isn’t known to be aggressive, but it will sting to defend itself when frightened. Their stingers can pierce through clothing to reach skin.
Scott Baker, a Bedford extension agent with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, told ABC 13 News that the ants pose less of a widespread threat than some other species, but people still need to be vigilant.
‘The good news is, they’re not terribly aggressive like the fire ant, so we don’t have quite the health concern, but I understand they do enact a very painful sting if people do interact with them,’ Baker said.
Asian needle ants are most likely to appear inside homes during ‘swarming’ season, the period during which insects emerge from hibernation to begin mating, which typically begins in spring and lasts through August.
Their stings cause ‘intense pain’ at the site that ‘comes and goes over the course of several hours,’ but some people have also reported pain away from the sting site
This species is highly adaptable and can thrive in both warm and cool climates as well as urban or rural areas.
The Asian needle ant has established a vast population in the US, and scientists expect it will continue to spread.
This not only poses a threat to human health, but to the environment as well.
Studies have shown that this invasive species is displacing native ant species, causing their abundance and diversity to decline in areas where Asian needle ants are established.
Some of these native ant species are critical seed dispersers, carrying seeds away from their mother plant and ensuring proper dispersal of the plant species.
‘Researchers have demonstrated substantial decreases in seed dispersal where Asian needle ants have invaded forest areas,’ the USDA stated.
‘Thus, this invasive species could have dramatic, long-term negative effects on the forest understory.’
Researchers are studying and developing strategies to control this booming ant population.
But, ‘unfortunately, as with many invasive species, it appears Asian needle ants are here to stay,’ the USDA stated.
